Medically reviewed
There are several reasons to get a COVID-19 test.
Maybe you’re sick with flu-like symptoms, or you spent time around someone who was infected with the virus.
Or, you may decide to get tested for COVID-19 if you’re planning a trip or want to make sure you’re not sick before seeing a loved one.
No matter why you’re getting tested, a COVID-19 test can help you determine if you’re infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
There are a few types of COVID-19 tests that function differently, and they work differently.
Taking a COVID-19 test can help aid in deciding whether or not you are infected, however, the tests are not always accurate and can be inconclusive.
Here’s what to know about what inconclusive results from a COVID-19 test mean, what to do next, and more.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing Basics
If you’re sick with coronavirus symptoms, you were exposed to the virus, or you’re preparing to travel, you may want to get a COVID-19 test.
While all COVID-19 tests can help to determine if you’re infected with the virus, there are different types of tests that work in different ways.
Most COVID-19 tests use nasal swabs to collect a sample of mucus, while others collect samples from the saliva in the mouth or the throat.
Rapid tests, also called antigen tests, detect whether your mucus contains viral antigens or proteins found on the surface of the virus.
Antigen tests offer the quickest turnaround time, yielding results often within minutes (much like a pregnancy test).
However, accuracy can be a problem with antigen tests and these tests are more likely to have false negatives (meaning a person infected with the virus might have an incorrect negative result).
Molecular tests for COVID-19, also called PCR tests, viral RNA tests, or nucleic acid tests, look for genetic material of the virus itself.
Usually, test results take a day or two, though they can take hours.
False positives are rare with both tests, though false negative results do happen, and occur more commonly with antigen tests than molecular tests.
However, antigen tests are still very commonly used due to the relative ease and fast turnaround time.
If testing for concerning symptoms, it would be worthwhile to perform a PCR test if the antigen test is negative.
Inconclusive results, on the other hand, are something different entirely. More on that below.
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Chat NowWhat Do COVID-19 Test Results Mean?
After you get a COVID-19 test, you can get one of three results.
- Positive: Positive COVID-19 test results mean SARS-CoV-2 or antigens were detected in your mucus sample, depending on the type of test you got.
- Negative: A negative result means neither of these were detected at that point in time.
- Inconclusive: There are also rare occasions when a lab cannot interpret a test result, in which case people can get an inconclusive test result. If for some reason the laboratory could not interpret your test — like if the mucus sample wasn’t enough to test, you have a new infection, or you’re close to recovery — your results may be inconclusive.
What to Do After an Inconclusive Result
It can be frustrating to get an inconclusive result after you get tested for COVID-19.
No matter what your reason for deciding to get tested for COVID-19, if you got inconclusive results, you should go back and get another test.
Continue to self-isolate or follow the quarantine-related guidelines you were already following until you get your test results.
If at any point you have further questions about what to do after inconclusive lab results, contact your health care provider or your local health department.
When to See a Doctor
If you have a recent exposure to COVID-19 or you have any coronavirus symptoms, it’s a good idea to get tested.
Pharmacies and clinics often conduct COVID-19 testing.
You can also contact your local health department to learn more about COVID-19 testing in your area.
You should also see a doctor if you’re sick with flu-like symptoms that are either worsening or not improving.
Seek emergency care immediately if you or someone you know experiences:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or remain awake
- Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nail beds
While these symptoms can be a sign of a medical emergency, they’re not the only symptoms that should prompt you to seek care.
Your doctor or a K Health doctor can give you more information about any other signs or symptoms that should concern you.
How K Health Can Help
If you are concerned that you may have covid, it’s important to talk to a doctor.
Download K Health to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a clinician in minutes. K Health’s AI-powered app is based on 20 years of clinical data.
Frequently Asked Questions
K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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Self-Testing. (2021).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/self-testing.html -
Test for Current Infection. (2021).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html -
Which test is best for COVID-19? (2021).
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/which-test-is-best-for-covid-19-2020081020734#:~:text=The%20false%20positive%20rate%20—,of%20the%20test%20itself
