Health
Smart COVID Testing Tips for This Winter
Health Points
- Winter months bring a higher risk of COVID infection, with increased chances at gatherings.
- At-home COVID tests are useful first steps, though not as sensitive as PCR tests.
- Testing when symptoms appear, and retesting if needed, helps ensure accurate results.
COVID remains a key concern as we enter the holiday season, with cases likely to rise in winter. Gatherings with loved ones can increase the risk of spreading infections.
“I would guess that over the winter months, we’ll see an increased amount of COVID infections, similar to other viral infections, partly because of human behavior,” Dr. Geeta Sood says.
Experts note that fewer people are getting vaccinated this year, which may mean more cases compared to previous winters. Keeping testing tools handy remains important, especially for those at higher risk.
At-home COVID tests provide quick results and are convenient for regular use. “I’m very enthusiastic about at-home testing,” Dr. Richard Martinello notes.
While rapid antigen tests help spot infections, they are less sensitive than PCR tests, which can find even small traces of the virus.
Dr. Daniel D. Rhoads compares PCR’s accuracy to “amplifying a whisper with a microphone,” making even subtle infections detectable. Rapid tests tend to work best when more virus is present in your system.
With a negative at-home result, it’s recommended to re-test a day or two later if symptoms persist. A positive result, even faint, is reliable and indicates infection.
Though hospitalizations are lower than early in the pandemic, the risk of long COVID and severe illness remains—especially for those with underlying health issues.
Testing is key when you feel sick. Take a rapid test when you have symptoms such as sore throat, fever, chills, congestion, cough, or loss of taste and smell.
If you’ve been exposed but don’t feel ill, wait five days before testing. Follow-up tests every 48 hours are crucial if initial results are negative.
Dr. Sood explains, “Testing can be kind of complicated because testing is not cheap, and a single test is not extremely sensitive.” Serial testing increases the reliability of your results.
Stay safe and prepared by keeping rapid tests on hand and following proper testing guidance for peace of mind this season.
