Cold or Flu-like Symptoms? Get Tested for COVID-19

It’s a typical weekday morning and everyone in the house is up and moving – and it happens. The dreaded cough, sniffle or sneeze. It’s nearing cold, flu and COVID season.

So stop.

If it’s you, don’t go to work. If it’s your child, don’t send them to school. Don’t pass it off as the common cold. "It could be COVID-19,” said David Basel, MD, Vice President for Avera Medical Group Clinical Quality. Even if you’re vaccinated, it could be a breakthrough case.

Symptoms of concern include:

• Fever (100.4 degrees or higher) or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Runny nose or congestion
• Diarrhea and/or nausea
• Sore throat
• Loss of sense of taste or smell

Get Tested for COVID-19

“Find out for sure before you risk exposing others,” Basel said. COVID tests are widely available at clinics (by appointment) and pharmacies. Tests are covered by most health insurance plans. You can check on your coverage by calling the number on the back of your insurance card. Results are usually available in 24 hours, although that may depend on how busy the clinic or pharmacy is.

Recommended tests include the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) molecular test or the four-plex test which tests for COVID-19, influenza A, influenza B and RSV using only one swab.

If the test is positive for COVID-19, the person with the illness should isolate at home until:

• It’s been five days since symptoms first appeared and
• 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving

Call your Avera clinic if you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, testing, symptoms or treatment.