The number of new COVID-19 cases is rising and falling by 100,000 every day.

There are more and more cases around me who have been tested for rapid antigen or have tested positive.

I also do not know exactly how I got infected, but I tested positive a few days ago and am currently receiving treatment at home.

We have compiled a list of good things to know if you have or suspect you have COVID-19.


Rapid antigen test, how to do it vs how to get it

First, it is a rapid antigen test.

This is the first test you should do if you have a cough, fever, or other symptoms suspected of Corona.

In my case, I tested with the self-test kit 1, because I was not feeling well, once because I was told that there was a possibility of contact with a confirmed person, once again to see if there would be damage to my surroundings, and all 3 with the self-test kit, but they were all negative.

There may have been a problem with my test method, but the self-test itself has a limitation in which the accuracy is not high.



In the self-test kit, the examiner inserts a cotton swab into the nose 1.5 to 2 cm deep and collects a sample from the nasal mucosa for testing.

On the other hand, even in the same rapid antigen test, the expert rapid antigen test puts a cotton swab into the mucous membrane at the back of the nose and throat almost 5-6 cm deep, just like the PCR test.

It can be obtained at screening clinics at public health centers, respiratory clinics, and local hospitals and clinics. The sensitivity of these expert tests is up to 50%, whereas self-tests are less than 20%, explains the Society of Laboratory Medicine.



However, it is not a good idea to blindly insert it deep into the nostrils.

As mentioned earlier, the self-test is a method of collecting the virus from the nasal mucosa cells with a cotton swab, so the cotton swab only needs to touch the surface of the mucous membrane.

It was originally designed that way.

Therefore, an official from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety explains that if you apply excessive force to the inside of your nose, you should avoid it as there is a risk of bacterial infection.

(Actually, the professional use and self-diagnosis kit are different from the length of the swab.)



In my case, after the 3rd negative test, I went to a nearby otolaryngology clinic to get cold medicine, and the rapid antigen test I got from the doctor again came out positive.

One of the good things about receiving a positive test at a hospital or clinic is that you can go home with a prescription for the medicine you need for the quarantine period at the hospital.


Things to know before PCR test

Next is the PCR test.

As you are well aware, unless you are in a high-risk group such as the elderly, you can receive PCR test only if the rapid antigen test is positive.

In order to confirm the final confirmation, a PCR test is required.

After the PCR test, you cannot take public transportation.

You must return home on foot, by car, by a quarantine taxi, or by bicycle.



Therefore, it is recommended to have the PCR test as close to home as possible.

Also, it is advantageous to have the test near the address even if it is not because of the distance traveled, because the public health center in the address where you are going to be treated at home takes care of its management if confirmed.

In my case, I was tested at a public health center near my workplace, but it was not my address, so I was only able to receive the relevant information after waiting for the procedure to transfer the confirmed record back to the public health center at my address.



Characters you will receive after PCR test

Once you are confirmed with COVID-19, you will receive a confirmation letter from the public health center.

After that, you will receive a message asking you to fill out a basic epidemiological survey, so you can open the link and fill it out in order.

You will then receive a home quarantine notice as an image file.

It states where the quarantine is located and how long the quarantine period is.



Next, if you are not feeling well during the quarantine period, you will receive a text message containing the medical institution where you can receive medical treatment or prescription and the phone number of the institution.

You might be wondering if face-to-face treatment is possible, but when I briefly introduce the guidance message I received, “If you need face-to-face treatment, make a reservation at a short-term outpatient clinic in advance and then walk, personal vehicle, or quarantine taxi (public transportation is not available) to receive treatment. can be."

There is also a 24-hour emergency call number, so please refer to it.



For your reference, after the PCR test, the public health center will only tell you whether you are positive or negative for COVID-19.

Specifically, I don't know if it was the delta mutation or the omicron mutation that I was infected with.


'How do you live with your family?'... If you have any questions, go here

Once quarantined, there are many unexpected questions besides medical help.

For example, family members living together also need to undergo PCR testing, when can they receive it?



There is a separate place to ask these administrative questions.

This is the <COVID-19 Administration Information Center>.

I remember seeing it in the article too, but I didn't know exactly, so I wandered around for a while.

<Corona 19 Administrative Information Center> is operated by each local government, so you can search for and contact the center in your area.

Here, I would like to end this article by leaving a [ ▶Link /Omicron response system-from examination to treatment] that will be helpful to people in the Seoul area.