All Your COVID Questions Answered
What Is Covid19?
Covid19 is a respiratory infection caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. It is very contagious. It may affect individuals differently. Some people may experience mild cold or allergy type symptoms, while other people may develop serious illness.
How is Covid19 spread?
Covid19 is an airborne virus, which means it is primarily spread by inhaling infectious particles that may be present in the air after an infected person coughs, exhales, sings, or even laughs.
How do I protect myself from Covid19?
The best methods to protect yourself and others from airborne viruses are 1) masking, 2) isolating when you are sick, and 3) improving air quality by opening windows or using air purifiers and filters.
Diligent handwashing is an important public health measure and should be utilized in every situation. But handwashing alone is not effective at preventing the spread of Covid19.
What are Covid symptoms?
Covid19 symptoms may range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include sore throat, headache, stuffy or runny nose, sinus pain or pressure, fatigue, muscle aches, dizziness, cough, and fever. However, fever and cough are not reliable indicators of Covid19 infection. This means you absolutely can be sick with Covid even if you don’t have a cough or fever.
How do I tell allergies from Covid?
Typical allergy symptoms often overlap with Covid symptoms.
Allergy symptoms that do not respond to your usual treatment (antihistamines, nasal rinses, etc.) may indicate a viral or bacterial infection and testing for Covid19 is warranted.
Does the vaccine work? And Can I get Covid more than once?
Vaccination against Covid19 has generally shown to be effective at preventing serious illness and may even reduce the likelihood of long-term effects.
Although the Covid19 vaccination may reduce the risk of developing Covid if you have been exposed, it does not guarantee that you will not develop Covid19 illness. Likewise, becoming ill with the Covid19 virus does not provide permanent protection from future infections and should not be relied upon for permanent immunity.
The Covid19 virus mutates rapidly, and many different variations of the virus may be in circulation at the same time. Some variants are different enough from each other that infection with one may not provide your body with an adequate defense against one of the other variants.
It is possible to contract a new Covid19 infection in as little as 6 weeks to 2 months following an initial infection, although this is not common.
How long will I be sick with Covid?
Covid19 tends to affect people differently. Most people will be ill between 5-14 days. It’s important to realize that, even though you might feel better, you can still be contagious to others for a period of several days or weeks. Generally, people are considered contagious as long as they are still testing positive using a rapid antigen test. Ideally, a person is considered no longer contagious when they have two negative antigen tests taken 24 hours apart.
When should I get tested for Covid?
It is recommended to seek Covid testing if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with Covid, including cough, fever, headache, sore throat, dizziness, fatigue, muscle aches, sinus pain, runny nose or stuffy nose.
Also seek Covid testing if you have allergy-type symptoms that are not responding to your usual treatment.
If you have been exposed to Covid, but are not experiencing symptoms, you might consider waiting 4-6 days before testing. Keep in mind it can take up to 14 days after exposure to Covid to develop symptoms of infection.
What is the best test for Covid?
Covid testing is done by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or RAT (rapid antigen test). Each test is slightly more effective in different time windows. Although PCR is generally considered to be the “gold standard” for covid testing, it can still yield false negative results. Therefore, the ideal (though not always practical) testing strategy is to test first with an antigen test. If the antigen testis negative, it is wise to follow that with a PCR test or, alternatively, repeat the antigen test in 24-36 hours. Be aware that either test may have difficulty detecting the virus within the first few days of symptoms or exposure, thus repeat testing on consecutive days may be necessary to rule out Covid infection.
PCR test results are usually performed at a lab or pharmacy. Results sometimes aren’t available for several days. Antigen test results are usually available within 10-15 minutes.
Are your tests different than over-the-counter tests I can get at the drug store?
Yes. Mobile Covid Testing is a federally certified lab. That means the antigen tests we use are laboratory grade and different than tests that are sold to the general public. Although they work on the same principle as over-the-counter tests, the results can be more precise. Our nurse also has years of experience interpreting tens of thousands of tests and is very accomplished with the process.
Can babies get Covid? Do you test kids?
Yes, people of all ages can get infected with the Covid virus and may spread it to others. Mobile Covid Testing performs Covid, flu, strep and RSV tests on children of all ages, even infants. We have child-friendly strategies to make the process as stress-free as possible for your child while still delivering high quality results.
My Covid test was negative. Do I need to test again?
Because it can take a few days for the level of antigen in your nose to reach a detectable level, serial testing over a period of a few days may be required to rule out covid infection. If you are ill with Covid-like symptoms, but your test is negative, you should retest in 24-36 hours. If that test is negative and you are still experiencing symptoms, you should test yet again in another 24-36 hours.
My home tests are expired. Can I still use them?
Tests stored at room temperature in a dry environment can often be used for a few months past expiration, although they will degrade over time. The biggest risk of using an expired test is false negative results. If you are symptomatic and your expired test yields a positive result, the result is probably valid. However, if your expired test is negative, you should retest using a valid test kit.
I just tested positive at home, but my work wants me to have a note.
When you test with Mobile Covid Testing, you receive an official documented result that you can show your employer or health care provider. Although we do not authorize return to work, we can provide a documented negative result after your illness if your employer requires one before going back to work.
Do I need to retest after I take Paxlovid?
If you have taken Paxlovid for your Covid infection, you should retest using an antigen test approximately 2 days after you take your last dose to detect “rebound” Covid. Rebound Covid is common. It indicates that the virus is still active in your body, and you may still spread the illness to others.
I tested positive for Covid. When is it safe to be around others?
The only way to know if you are still infectious is to retest for Covid using an antigen test. You are not considered infectious if you have two negative antigen tests taken 24 hours apart.
Because retesting is not always practical, Mobile Covid Testing advocates isolating for 5 days after your positive Covid result, then wearing a high-quality mask that covers your nose for another 5 days. If you are not able to isolate, consider wearing a high-quality mask that covers your nose for 10 days.
If you are required to interact with elderly family members or other at-risk individuals, we recommend that you and the other party both wear masks during the period of your interaction. Opening windows when possible or being outdoors will also help reduce transmission.
Does Covid cause a rash?
Covid19 infection can cause rash in children and adults. The rash can appear on any part of the body, including the toes and mouth. It might look similar to other contagious rashes, such as chicken pox, Mpox, or measles. Testing is important to ensure that you get the correct treatment.
Consult your healthcare provider if you experience unusual skin eruptions or rashes, especially if they occur along with other symptoms such as fever or cough.
Does Covid cause high blood pressure? Can it cause heart problems?
Covid19 is a virus that affects your blood vessels and can cause alterations in blood pressure, heart rate and blood clotting. Changes or abnormalities in any of these can potentially cause problems with your heart, including but not limited to a heart attack or heart failure.
Consider testing for Covid if you have unexplained high blood pressure, as it could be a sign of Covid infection – even if you are not experiencing any other symptoms.
Seek medical care or dial 911 if you have high blood pressure with the onset of headache, dizziness, chest pain or difficulty breathing.
If you have Covid19 infection, consult with a healthcare provider to prevent long-term damage.
Does Covid make you dizzy?
Dizziness is a common symptom of Covid infection. Onset of dizziness may warrant Covid testing.
Dizziness can exist alone as a symptom or in conjunction with other symptoms. It can be relatively benign, or a sign of a more serious problem that requires medical attention.
Dizziness that occurs after standing up or after position changes may respond to oral fluids. Water, Gatorade, Pedialyte and Sprite are all great options. Some folks with fever or sore throat find that popsicles or chewing ice can help provide needed hydration. If you are experiencing dizziness upon standing, and are unable to drink enough fluids to alleviate your symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider or seek treatment at an urgent care or emergency room.
Also contact your healthcare provider or dial 911 if you experience dizziness in conjunction with chest pain, difficulty breathing, headache, fever, vomiting, weakness, or changes in your level of alertness, balance, orientation or ability to speak.
Do Covid tests expire?
Yes. Tests stored at room temperature in a dry environment can often be used for a few months past expiration, although they will degrade over time. The biggest risk of using an expired test is false negative results. If you are symptomatic and your expired test yields a positive result, the result is probably valid. However, if your expired test is negative, you should retest using a valid test kit.
Are Covid tests still free? Does insurance pay for Covid tests?
Unfortunately, free Covid testing is no longer available in Tulsa.
With the end of the government’s emergency pandemic response, insurance companies are no longer required to pay for Covid testing. It is best to check with your insurer to see if your Covid tests are covered. However, on-demand testing most likely will not be paid by your insurance.
Mobile Covid Testing strives to make testing as affordable as possible and offers the lowest price for testing in Tulsa. Our out-of-pocket costs for Covid, flu, strep and RSV testing is often less than an urgent care copay, with results in 15 minutes and no waiting rooms.
You can’t beat the convenience or the price.
We test at 3616 S. Yale Ave, from 10-1 Monday through Saturday. No appointment is needed.
Call 918-917-5466 for information.
Where can I get free tests?
There is no free Covid testing available in Tulsa at this time. Mobile Covid Testing provides the least expensive testing option in Tulsa to help our community get the tests they need at the lowest price possible, because we believe healthcare services should be affordable and easy to access.
How can I get tested?
Mobile Covid Testing provides Covid, flu, strep and RSV testing from 10-1 Monday through Saturday at 3616 S. Yale Ave. in mid-town Tulsa. That is the back parking lot of Yale Avenue Christian Church at the intersection of 36th and Yale Ave. No appointment is necessary. Just park next to the Covid van and wait in your car. We will come to you!
Call 918-917-5466 if you have questions.
Covid, flu, and strep tests are $10 each cash or $15 with a credit card. RSV is $20 cash or $25 with a credit card. This is the lowest price testing available in Tulsa – less than the price of a co-pay with immediate service and no crowded waiting rooms.
Our drive-up service is wildly popular and has proven to be the quickest, safest, most reliablecost-effect and time efficient Covid testing option in the Tulsa community.
*Because our prices are so low, we cannot absorb large increases in costs for testing kits and supplies. Therefore, prices may be subject to change in response to fluctuating market prices for testing supplies and equipment.
Please call 918-917-5466 if you have concerns about pricing or would like to confirm the cost of testing.