Health Female: How to Time Your Holiday COVID Tests

Thursday, December 16, 2021

How to Time Your Holiday COVID Tests

By Paola de Varona, Associate News Editor

I feel like the Grinch asking people to get tested for COVID before the holidays. But today, I caved and sent a text asking a few friends to get rapid at-home tests before our gift exchange next week. I gave them the low-down: A two-pack at their local pharmacy is around $20—so they can even split the costs. They all happily agreed.

A few minutes of social anxiety for some peace of mind is worth it.

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Make a Holiday Testing Plan

There are three things you should consider before testing for COVID ahead of the holidays:

1.	Timing of your test
2.	Your risk of spreading the virus
3.	The type of test you're using

Timing a COVID test is tricky because there's no way to know exactly when you became infected or when it will show up on a test.

Here's where your risk levels come in. If you're vaccinated, boosted, and staying close to home, testing within 72 hours of a gathering is pretty safe.

But if you're traveling via airplane, train, or public transportation, and coming to or from an area with high transmission, you may need more than one test. In this situation, a PCR test 72 hours before a gathering plus a rapid test day-of would likely do the trick. Ideally, you'd also get tested a few hours post-gathering if you met with large groups or people highly susceptible to getting the virus.

The type of test you get matters, too. It may take longer to receive PCR test results but they're extremely accurate. On the other hand, rapid at-home tests can make it easy to get a quick check before a gathering, but they're less sensitive to early infection. If you're particularly worried, your best bet is to include both types of tests in your plan.

Know More

Make sure you're planning ahead. Appointments for tests at local clinics may fill up. Some locations will offer walk-in PCR or rapid tests. Keeping some rapid at-home tests handy is a good idea if you aren't sure you'll have reliable testing access.

Feel Better

Wondering which at-home rapid test is the most reliable and where to buy it? We compiled the five best at-home COVID tests, their prices, and where to find them here.

Currently, the CDC reports that the Omicron variant only accounts for 2.9% of all COVID cases in the U.S.—meaning Delta is still in the lead. But our map shows which regions of the U.S. are already seeing more Omicron spread.

COVID Pills: Merck Versus Pfizer

Merck and Pfizer have both developed COVID antiviral pills that may be up for authorization from the FDA in the coming months. Both pills are aimed at keeping unvaccinated folks with at least one comorbidity (think: over 65 or being diagnosed with diabetes) out of the hospital. But they have some key differences. Most notably, Pfizer's pill touts an 89% efficacy rate at preventing hospitalization and death. Meanwhile, Merck's drug is 30% effective.

When Should You Get Tested for the Flu?

As winter settles in, flu cases are on the rise in the U.S. If you feel symptoms of a cold coming on, first and foremost, you need to get tested for COVID. But what if it comes back negative and you suspect you have the flu? Experts suggest reaching out to a primary care provider via telehealth or the phone first. A doctor's office visit may not be necessary. Providers can diagnose the flu through a description of symptoms, a physical exam, or a nasal or throat swab test.

In an interview with Verywell, Robert Amler, MD, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College, reminds us not to be too hard on ourselves when trying to develop the perfect COVID safety plan over the holidays.

There is no perfect answer, other than staying home, which is stressful and difficult and lonely. We all have to make the best choices we can and hope for the best but not beat ourselves up about it. Just do the best you can.