If your child has a Covid PCR test collected in the office, it will take between 1-3 days to get the results. You will get a call from us with the results whether it is negative or positive. Please make sure prior to leaving the office that we have your correct phone number on file. If you haven't heard back from us after 3 days, please don't hesistate to call our office at 858-487-8333. Additionally, you may find the result on your child's MyChart. If you don't have a MyChart account set up for your child, please call our office for assistance.
Should you have additional questions about your results or any quarantine needed, you may also call the COVID-19 nurse advice line at Rady's Children's Hospital at 858-966-8399 (avilable from 8am-8pm daily.)
Once your child has been tested, you will need to have him/her quarantine at home. We also recommend that other household members also self-quarantine until the test results come back.
If the test is negative: It is possible that the patient could still be infected, but symptoms are most likely due to a different virus such as the flu or common cold. Self-Quarantine at home until at least 72 hours after the fever (if any) is gone and other symptoms have improved. If there is a strong reason to still believe the symptoms are due to COVID-19, such as a recent involvement in a high risk/large group activity, self quarantine at home until at least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND for 24 hours after the fever is gone AND all other symptoms have improved. If the patient has recent contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is being treated for COVID-19, do not stop self quarantine until at least 14 days have passed since the patient's last contact with them.
If the test is positive: Self isolate at home until at least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND 24 hours after fever is gone and other symptoms have improved. (Re-testing before leaving isolation is not necessary and no longer recommended by the CDC.) Anyone with recent close contact with the patient will need to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last contact with the patient. If they need testing, the should contact their primary care provider, visit www.coronavirus-sd.com, or call 2-1-1. If the close contact is a child, parents can call our pediatric office or Rady's nursing advice line (858-966-8399) for advice.
Whether the patient has symptoms of not, the patient can still give the virus to other people. During the self quarantine/home isolation period, the patient should not leavce the house except to get medical care. Do not visit anyone or let anyone visit. As much as possible, keep the patient in a seperate room and at least 6 feet from other members of the household, especially if they have a high risk medical condition.
Do not hesistate to get medical care, but please call ahead before going to the doctor or ER so the medical team can have infection precautions ready.
For more advice on home quarantine, visit www.coronavirus-sd.com and click on FAQ's (under resources and materials.) You can also visit the CDC website for more information.