The CDC recommends a COVID-19 test called a nasopharyngeal swab. The technician will put a special 6-inch cotton swab up both sides of your nose and move it around for about 15 seconds. It won't hurt, but it might be uncomfortable. They'll send the swab to a lab to test the material from inside your nose.
There is no cure for COVID‑19 yet. There is also no vaccine available yet, either. The best we can do is treat symptoms. Only the very sick will need hospitalization.
Practice social distancing. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters) from others. Stay out of crowded places. Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath. Take temperature if symptoms develop.
The process and locations for testing vary from place to place. Contact your state, local, tribal, or territorial department for more information, or reach out to a medical provider. State and local public health departments have received tests from CDC while medical providers are getting tests developed by commercial manufacturers. While supplies of these tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find someplace to get tested. See Testing for COVID-19 for more information.
For initial diagnostic testing for COVID-19, the CDC recommends collecting and testing an upper respiratory specimen.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The incubation period for COVID-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus (becoming infected) and symptom onset, is on average 5-6 days, however can be up to 14 days. During this period, also known as the "pre-symptomatic" period, some infected persons can be contagious. Therefore, transmission from a pre-symptomatic case can occur before symptom onset.
Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date. You can learn more about who is at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 at People who are at higher risk for severe illness.