COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Testing services offered in Cicero and Chicago, IL

COVID-19 testing is an effective way to confirm an infection so that you can make informed decisions about healthcare and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cermak Immediate Care offers in-office COVID-19 testing to determine if your cough, fever, or shortness of breath relates to a COVID-19 infection. Their team of medical providers also provides resources to help patients feel better until the viral infection clears. Call the office in Cicero and the neighborhood of Marshall Square in Chicago, Illinois, to schedule COVID-19 testing or book an appointment online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.

What is COVID-19 testing?

COVID-19 testing is a diagnostic procedure to confirm or rule out a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The goal of testing is to identify an active infection so that you can take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus to others and protect yourself against potentially severe health complications.

Cermak Immediate Care offers comprehensive COVID-19 testing for adults and children. The experienced medical specialists also provide personalized care plans to treat symptoms of a COVID-19 infection and protect your overall wellness.

When should I schedule COVID-19 testing?

COVID-19 is a contagious viral infection that spreads from person to person through saliva droplets produced by talking, coughing, and sneezing. You can also spread the virus or become infected with it by touching your face after making contact with contaminated surfaces.

Many people recover from the viral infection with rest and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. However, people with weak immune systems, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses are at increased risk for developing severe health complications from the virus.

For this reason, schedule COVID-19 testing if you’ve been in contact with an infected person or if you have COVID-19 symptoms like:

Fever
Chills
Chronic cough
Sore throat
Muscle aches
Nasal congestion
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness

The providers offer COVID-19 testing to confirm an active infection. They can also perform other diagnostic tests, like rapid flu tests, if you don’t have COVID-19 but aren’t sure what’s causing your symptoms.

What happens during COVID-19 testing?

Cermak Immediate Care offers several types of COVID-19 tests, including:

Antigen tests

Antigen tests provide results quickly, usually within 15-30 minutes. Your physician collects a fluid sample from your nose and places it on the testing device, revealing positive or negative results.

Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs)

During NAATS, your provider takes a sample of fluids from your nose or the back of your throat. They send the sample to a lab to be checked for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Results are typically available within a few days.

COVID-19 is generally quick and painless. Some discomfort is possible when your provider inserts a swab into your nose or the back of your throat to collect the fluids.

Call the Cermak Immediate Care office nearest you today to schedule COVID-19 testing for yourself or your child. You can also use the online feature to book an appointment.