Covid Testing

If you’re interested in COVID testing because you have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who has tested positive for the illness, Clinica Agua Viva, the sister clinic of Living Water Clinic, located in Lindsay, California, can help. Its skilled medical providers offer COVID infection tests and antibody tests at their location in Porterville, Lindsay, Visalia or Woodlake, California. It is a Rural Health Clinic accepting all Medi-Cal and Medicare insurances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is COVID testing?

COVID testing involves diagnostic tests that determine if you have COVID-19, which the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes. It’s a potentially life-threatening disease for some people. COVID testing is a way to let you know if you should avoid contact with other people or receive treatment for COVID-19. Clinica Agua Viva uses the unique ID NOW™ device manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. This device allows them to use throat swabs, nasal swabs, and nasopharyngeal swabs to detect the presence of a COVID-19 infection. This device allows your provider to give you your test results in as little as 5 minutes. Clinica Agua Viva also offers COVID antibody testing, which is a test that detects COVID-19 antibodies in your blood. If you have these antibodies, you could have had COVID-19 in the past, sometimes without any symptoms. If you know you had an infection, the antibody test may show whether you have any natural protection from the virus.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

You might choose COVID testing if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or if you exhibit symptoms of the disease. Common COVID-19 symptoms include:

Cough
Fever
Chills
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Headaches
Muscle or body aches
Loss of taste or smell
Runny nose or congestion
Sore throat
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting

These symptoms often appear within 2-14 days after being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The risk of developing severe symptoms increases with age.

What should I expect during COVID testing?

COVID testing usually consists of a tissue swab in the back of your throat or in one of your nostrils. The procedure is very fast and virtually painless, though you can expect to feel pressure during the swab. With the innovative ID NOW™ device at Clinica Agua Viva, you can get precise COVID test results within 5-13 minutes. During COVID antibody testing, your Living Water Clinic specialist takes a sample of your blood from a vein in your arm. A lab then tests the sample for COVID-19 antibodies. When your test results are ready, your provider reviews them with you.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive for COVID-19, your medical specialist discusses the best next steps with you. Avoid contact with other people until your provider says it’s okay. Alert your school or workplace about your positive test result, get plenty of rest, and drink a lot of fluids. Living Water Clinic professionals may recommend you take medications or receive other COVID-19 treatments to reduce the severity of your symptoms and speed up your recovery.