Covid 19

The global coronavirus pandemic has impacted us all, and at AIM, an internal medicine clinic, we are doing our part in the fight against coronavirus. You can expect that all COVID-safe guidelines are adhered to in our practice, and we do also offer COVID testing.

Our COVID testing involves a number of things, which can be helpful if you think you have symptoms, have come into contact with someone who has tested positive, or if you are planning to travel.

One type of rapid testing to detect the presence of antigens expressed by the COVID-19 virus, is to take a sample from the respiratory tract. If the antigen is present in high enough concentrations, it will be detectable within fifteen minutes. The antigens detected are only found when the virus is active, so this kind of testing is best used to identify early infection.

There has been so much unknown about the virus for so long, but the good news is that we know a lot more about it now. That is why we can do COVID antibody testing, to see if you have the antibodies in your blood. If you do, then it is a pretty good indicator that you have already had the virus. For work purposes, as well as peace of mind, this can be a helpful test, and you will get the results of the antibody test in ten minutes.

We are now able to offer a sample collection using a saliva test, in order to test for COVID-19. The PCR test looks for the presence of COVID-19 on a sample of your saliva. It is a very accurate test, and will be able to quickly confirm whether you have the virus and are actively infected with the virus (the results come back within twenty-four hours). Your results can then indicate if you need to self-isolate in order to protect others.

If you are planning to travel, especially travel abroad, then you can use the results of your PCR testing to get a fit-to-fly certificate, if you do test negative. Get in touch to speak with a member of our internist team about this, and do check the requirements at your destination around testing.