COVID-19. Saliva and Antibody testing

State Drug Testing & Occupational Health is now offering COVID-19 diagnostic testing for those who are experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms.

*Please come by our facility, call or email for more information. (contact info found at bottom of this page)

What are the symptoms for COVID-19?

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the novel coronavirus, according to the CDC. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

• fever
• dry coughs
• shortness of breath associated with respiratory illness
• muscle pain
• headache
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• chills
• repeated shaking with chills
• diarrhea

Sinus congestion or pain, nausea or vomiting are unlikely to be associated with COVID-19. Call your primary care provider if you experience symptoms and believe you have been in close contact with a person known to have novel coronavirus.

What’s a saliva test?

The saliva test is easier to perform — spitting into a cup versus submitting to a swab — and more comfortable. Because a person can independently spit into a cup, the saliva test does not require interaction with a healthcare worker. This cuts down on the need for masks, gowns, gloves, and other protective equipment, which has been in short supply. Until recently, most tests for COVID-19 required a clinician to insert a long swab into the nose and sometimes down to the throat. In mid-April, the FDA granted emergency approval for a saliva-based test.