Should You Get Tested for COVID-19?

Much of the anxiety revolving around the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic seems to be about the uncertain nature of its symptoms. The signs of COVID-19 infection can vary widely. While some people who are infected show telltale signs like fever, dry coughs, or shortness of breath, others show no symptoms of an infection at all.

This makes it considerably harder for us to flatten the curve, as infected persons aren’t aware that they have the virus and may continue to pass it on to others. As the search for an effective vaccine carries on, preventing its spread falls to taking the necessary precautions and, of course, getting tested.

Not everyone needs to take the test. Before getting into the importance of COVID-19 testing and whether or not you should do it, it is important to understand how it is spread, what the symptoms are, and how it affects your life.

How is COVID-19 spread?

According to the WHO, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. You can also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.

Furthermore, recent findings have also suggested the possibility of the COVID-19 virus being airborne. This means that there is a chance for you to get infected by breathing in tiny virus particles that are floating in the air, especially in poorly-ventilated rooms.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common signs of a COVID-19 infection are dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, and sore throat. However, there are also less common symptoms like loss of smell and taste, diarrhea, nausea, skin discoloration, or even seizures.

Another dangerous symptom that may occur during a COVID-19 infection is the unnoticeable reduction of oxygen levels in your blood, resulting in what is known as the happy hypoxia syndrome. Often, a person with happy hypoxia syndrome does not realize that their oxygen saturation levels are dropping to dangerous levels until it’s too late.

Who is most at risk from COVID-19 infection?

COVID-19 can infect people from all walks of life. However, people with certain daily routines and health problems may have a greater chance of getting infected. Here are some factors that put you at a higher risk of catching the disease:

Frequent close contact with people. If your daily routine requires you to be in close contact with other people, you may be at a higher risk of infection. Being in an enclosed area for a prolonged period of time with other people will also increase your risk of getting infected, making occupations like healthcare providers more vulnerable. Some living conditions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities — due to their communal nature — may also put residents at an increased risk of infection from COVID-19.

Underlying disabilities. While disabilities alone are not directly related to increased risk of infection, limited mobility may make it difficult for you to avoid coming into close contact with infected individuals, such as direct support providers and family members. People with learning disabilities may also have trouble understanding information and practicing preventive measures.

Who is more at risk of severe illness?

There are several underlying conditions that, when combined with a COVID-19 infection, may cause you to develop more severe illnesses. Here are some of them:

Old age. The chances of getting severely sick with COVID-19 increase with age. There are a few reasons for this. Older adults are more likely to have long-term health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions. The immune system also weakens with age. Furthermore, as you age, changes to your lung tissue can make it harder to heal from COVID-19.

Asthma. This may increase difficulties in breathing when combined with a COVID-19 infection.

Diabetes and obesity. Obesity and diabetes both reduce the efficiency of your immune system, making it more challenging to recover from COVID-19.

Cancer. If you currently have cancer, you are at higher risk of developing more severe illness from COVID-19. This risk can vary, depending on the type of cancer and the kind of treatment you’re receiving.

Blood disorders. Some blood disorders like sickle cell anemia or thalassemia make it harder for your red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout your system when you’re infected.

Is there a way to prevent an infection?

While getting tested is important to curb the spread of the virus, there are also some precautions that you can take to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19:

Always keep your hands clean by regularly washing them with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid being in a room without proper ventilation or air filtration system, especially if you share that room with other people.

If you have a cough, headache, or mild fever, self-isolate until you recover.

Stay home and avoid large events or mass gatherings.

Ensure you wear a face mask and stay 2 meters away from other people when it is necessary to go out.

Should I get tested?

As an important step in the fight against the pandemic, getting a COVID-19 test is the only surefire way to know whether or not you have been infected by the virus SARS-CoV-2. While some people have underlying conditions that make them more vulnerable to a virus infection, the risk of infection is always present even for young, healthy adults with no known health issues.

One way to know if you should get tested is if you start developing symptoms commonly associated with the disease. However, regardless of the presence of symptoms, it is also important to get tested if you belong to one of the high-risk groups or if you’ve come into contact with someone who does.

By getting tested, not only will you get the opportunity to receive medical attention if necessary, it will also help protect the people around you, especially if you happen to be asymptomatic.

Where can I get tested?

To get tested, you can go to your nearest hospital or clinic. Some places allow you to walk in and take the test, while others require you to reserve beforehand. It is also important to note that there are a lot of unlicensed COVID-19 test kits on the market, so if you plan to get tested, make sure you choose a trusted venue. Here at Traveloka Xperience, we’ve curated a few recommendations for credible and safe places offering different types of COVID-19 tests for you to choose from:

Find COVID-19 Test

If you’re unsure about which type of test you should take, here is a handy guide to the different types of COVID-19 tests available in Indonesia.

Disclaimer: Official information regarding COVID-19 is subject to change. Always check for new updates from Indonesia’s official source of information for COVID-19 at https://www.kemkes.go.id/ and https://covid19.go.id/.

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