vania-janet/multiturn-rag-retrieval-data huggingface dataset:
Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers
Ensuring that the testing circumstances best support the patient to perform maximally and then documenting this performance can create an objective reliable record of functional status that may be needed for assessment for other services or disability.

Additional diagnostic testing should be guided by findings from the patient history and physical examination and results of previous diagnostic testing, and may include a chest x-ray, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiogram, or echocardiogram for persistent or new respiratory or cardiac concerns, although additional studies and more clinical evidence are needed to support the utility of specific imaging tests for evaluation of Post-COVID Conditions.
For patients who may require imaging based on clinical findings, symptom management and a rehabilitation plan can often be initiated simultaneously with the imaging workup. In patients with normal chest x-rays and normal oxygen saturation, computed tomography (CT) imaging of the chest might have lower yield for assessing pulmonary disease. In patients without an elevated D-dimer and compatible symptoms, CT pulmonary angiogram may be lower yield in the context of a pulmonary embolism workup. In patients with brain fog symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain might not be revealing for pathologic findings in the absence of focal neurological deficits. Further caution may be exercised in ordering imaging in children without a high index of suspicion of pathology. More specialized (e.g., cardiac MRI) imaging studies might merit consultation with specialists.
Top of PageManagement of Post-COVID Conditions
Medical management
For most patients, the goal of medical management of Post-COVID Conditions is to optimize function and quality of life. Ideally, healthcare professionals, in consultation with the relevant specialists, should develop a comprehensive management plan based on their patients’ presenting symptoms, underlying medical and psychiatric conditions, personal and social situations, and their treatment goals.

Setting achievable goals through shared decision-making can be beneficial.
Transparency is important for the process of goal setting; healthcare professionals should advise patients that Post-COVID Conditions are not yet well understood and assure them that support will continue to be provided as new information emerges.
Healthcare professionals and patients should continue to discuss progress and challenges and reassess goals as needed.
COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
Talk to a doctor or healthcare provider about other testing options that may be available to you.
If you are a person with a disability, the Disability Information and Access Line can help you access a test or find a test location.

Top of PageInterpreting Your Results
If Your COVID-19 Test IsPositiveA positive COVID-19 test means the virus was detected and you have or recently had an infection.

Take steps to prevent spreading COVID-19.
Monitor your symptoms. If you have any emergency warning signs, seek emergency care immediately.
Seek health care right away for treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may be an option to make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick. Treatment needs to be started within a few days of when your symptoms begin.

If Your COVID-19 Test IsNegativeA negative COVID-19 test means the test did not detect the virus, but this doesn’t rule out that you could have an infection. If you used an antigen test, follow FDA recommendations for repeat testing.

If you have symptoms:

You may have COVID-19 but tested before the virus was detectable.
You may have another viral infection or illness.
Take actions to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result.

 Testing Resources for Healthcare Professionals: Healthcare Workers | Labs

Archived ContentSearch for and find historical COVID-19 pages and files. Please note the content on these pages and files is no longer being updated and may be out of date.

Visit archive.cdc.gov for a historical snapshot of the COVID-19 website, capturing the end of the Federal Public Health Emergency on June 28, 2023.
Visit the dynamic COVID-19 collection to search the COVID-19 website as far back as July 30, 2021.


	Last Updated May 2, 2024	Source: 	National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases

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Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers
Many Post-COVID Conditions can be diagnosed clinically based on history and findings on physical examination. Others might require directed diagnostic testing with the understanding that such clinical assessments might be uninformative, and that potential harms could arise from excessive testing such as:

the increased risk for incidental findings,
anxiety about abnormal results that do not have clinical significance,
imaging-related radiation exposure,
cost, and
time spent for medical appointments.

For most patients with possible Post-COVID Conditions, healthcare professionals might choose a conservative diagnostic approach in the first 4 to 12 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Laboratory and imaging studies can often be normal or nondiagnostic in patients experiencing Post-COVID Conditions and symptoms may improve or resolve during the first few months after acute infection in many patients, further supporting an initial conservative approach to diagnostic testing. However, workup and testing should not be delayed when there are signs and symptoms of urgent and potentially life-threatening clinical conditions (e.g., pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, pericarditis with effusion, stroke, renal failure). Symptoms that persist beyond 3 months should prompt further evaluation.
Physical examination and vital signs
Post-COVID Conditions involve multiple organ systems; thus, a thorough physical examination should be considered.
For patients who report previous infection with SARS-CoV-2, in addition to standard vital signs (i.e., blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse-oximetry, body temperature) and body mass index, healthcare professionals should evaluate ambulatory pulse-oximetry for individuals presenting with respiratory symptoms, fatigue, or malaise. Orthostatic vital signs [1 page, 554 KB] should be evaluated for individuals reporting postural symptoms, dizziness, fatigue, cognitive impairment, or malaise.
Laboratory testing
At this time, no laboratory test can be used to definitively diagnose Post-COVID Conditions or to distinguish Post-COVID Conditions from conditions with different etiologies.
COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
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COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to KnowCOVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know 


	Updated May 2, 2024	

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COVID-19 testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others.
When you get tested:
Choose the right type of test for your circumstance
For antigen tests, follow test directions as recommended by FDA and the test manufacturer

If you do not, your results may be less likely to correctly indicate whether you have COVID-19 or not.

On This Page

Types of TestsChoosing a COVID-19 TestGetting a COVID-19 Test 

Positive Test ResultNegative Test Result 

Types of Tests
Viral tests look for a current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by testing specimens from your nose or mouth.
There are two main types of viral tests:

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests
Antigen tests

PCR Tests
PCR tests are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests. They are a type of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests.
Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers
For patients who report previous infection with SARS-CoV-2, in addition to standard vital signs (i.e., blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse-oximetry, body temperature) and body mass index, healthcare professionals should evaluate ambulatory pulse-oximetry for individuals presenting with respiratory symptoms, fatigue, or malaise. Orthostatic vital signs [1 page, 554 KB] should be evaluated for individuals reporting postural symptoms, dizziness, fatigue, cognitive impairment, or malaise.
Laboratory testing
At this time, no laboratory test can be used to definitively diagnose Post-COVID Conditions or to distinguish Post-COVID Conditions from conditions with different etiologies.
A positive SARS-CoV-2 viral test (i.e., nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) or serologic (antibody) test can help assess for current or previous infection. However, these laboratory tests are not required to establish a diagnosis of Post-COVID Conditions. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and antigen testing are not 100% sensitive. Further, testing capacity was limited early in the pandemic so some infected and recovered persons had no opportunity to obtain laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, some patients who developed Post-COVID Conditions were asymptomatic with their acute infection and would not have had a reason to be tested.
For information about antibody testing, see Using Antibody Tests for COVID-19. Healthcare professionals should also consider the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. See Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection.
Before ordering laboratory testing for Post-COVID Conditions, the goals of testing should be clear to the healthcare professional and to the patient. Laboratory testing should be guided by the patient history, physical examination, and clinical findings.

A basic panel of laboratory tests might be considered for patients with persistent symptoms (including testing for non-COVID-19-related conditions that may be contributing to illness) to assess for conditions that may respond to treatment (Table 1a).
Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers
myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome,
fibromyalgia,
post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome,
dysautonomia, and
mast cell activation syndrome.

Symptom management approaches that have been helpful for these disorders may also benefit some patients with Post-COVID Conditions (e.g., activity management (pacing) for post-exertional malaise).
Medications
FDA-approved or over-the-counter medications, as well as vitamin or electrolyte supplements, may be helpful for indicated illnesses (e.g., headache, anxiety) or documented deficiencies (e.g., vitamin deficiency) after carefully weighing the benefits and risks of pharmaceutical interventions. Some treatments have been offered that lack evidence of efficacy or effectiveness and could be harmful to patients. Healthcare providers should inquire about any unprescribed medications, herbal remedies, supplements, or other treatments that patients may be taking for their Post-COVID Conditions and evaluate for drug interactions.
Follow-up visits with a healthcare professional might be considered every 2–3 months, with frequency adjusted up or down depending on the patient’s condition and illness progression. Continuity of care is important in the management of Post-COVID Conditions.
Holistic support for patients with Post-COVID Conditions
Evidence indicates that holistic support for the patient throughout their illness course can be beneficial.
Recognizing and validating the impact of illness on quality of life should be part of the ongoing healthcare professional and patient interaction. Healthcare professionals can provide information on peer support resources (e.g., patient support groups, online forums). Support groups are connecting individuals, providing support, and sharing resources for persons affected by COVID-19 (see Resources). When material, employment, or other social support needs are identified, healthcare professionals should consider referral themselves (if they are knowledgeable and able) and engaging a social worker, case worker, community health worker, or similarly trained professional to assist.
Patient groups with special considerations
COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
Viral tests look for a current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by testing specimens from your nose or mouth.
There are two main types of viral tests:

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests
Antigen tests

PCR Tests
PCR tests are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests. They are a type of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests. Your sample will usually be taken by a healthcare provider and transported to a laboratory for testing. It may take up to 3 days to receive results.
Antigen Tests
Antigen tests* are rapid tests that usually produce results in 15-30 minutes. Positive results are accurate and reliable. However, in general, antigen tests are less likely to detect the virus than PCR tests, especially when symptoms are not present. Therefore, a single negative antigen test cannot rule out infection. To be confident you do not have COVID-19, FDA recommends 2 negative antigen tests for individuals with symptoms or 3 antigen tests for those without symptoms, performed 48 hours apart. A single PCR test can be used to confirm an antigen test result.

*Self-tests, or at-home tests, are antigen tests that can be taken anywhere without having to go to a specific testing site. Read self-test package inserts thoroughly and follow the instructions closely when performing the test.
Top of PageChoosing a COVID-19 Test
I want to get tested and:
I have not had COVID-19 or I have not had a positive test within the past 90 days.You may choose a PCR or antigen test.
If you use an antigen test and your result is negative, repeat testing following FDA recommendations.
I tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days.My first positive test result was within:30 days or less

I have symptoms
Use an antigen test. Repeat negative tests following FDA recommendations.
I do not have symptoms
Testing is not recommended to detect a new infection.
My first positive test result was within:31-90 days

I have symptoms
Long COVID
How can I protect myself, my children, and my family members against developing long COVID?
The best way to protect yourself and those you love from long COVID is to stay up to date with all recommended vaccine doses, wear a well-fitting mask if you are or live in a high-risk area, and use the best air ventilation you can when with groups of people, particularly when the vaccination status of others is unknown.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines including booster doses, visit the COVID-19 vaccine webpage here.
Even if you have already had COVID-19 and do not currently have long COVID, taking steps to prevent COVID-19 reinfection can help protect you from long COVID in the future.
If you experience COVID-19 symptoms or were exposed, test early. If you are positive, talk to your health care provider right away about treatments or visit NYSDOH's treatment page here.
What is NYSDOH doing to help New Yorkers struggling with long COVID?
While scientists are still working to understand long COVID, NYSDOH continues to bring a wide range of health scientists and specialists together to formulate the State's response.
To support New Yorkers with long COVID as well as the healthcare providers who care for them, NYSDOH has:

Hosted an expert consortium that included specialists, clinicians, social scientists, and advocates to review the research, clinical, and functional aspects and inform the development of the State's ongoing work.
Established an internal working group that is dedicated to considering provider education and resources on the topic of long COVID, data monitoring and tracking, as well as access to treatment and care for New Yorkers.

Additionally, Governor Hochul also launched new, online education opportunities to help workers who believe they contracted COVID-19 due to an exposure at work, especially those suffering from ongoing long COVID symptoms. A new series of webinars - offered through the New York State Workers' Compensation Board - will provide information on workers' rights when it comes to filing a workers' compensation claim and the cash and/or medical benefits they may be eligible to receive. More information is available here. Long COVID can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers
Ideally, healthcare professionals, in consultation with the relevant specialists, should develop a comprehensive management plan based on their patients’ presenting symptoms, underlying medical and psychiatric conditions, personal and social situations, and their treatment goals.

Setting achievable goals through shared decision-making can be beneficial.
Transparency is important for the process of goal setting; healthcare professionals should advise patients that Post-COVID Conditions are not yet well understood and assure them that support will continue to be provided as new information emerges.
Healthcare professionals and patients should continue to discuss progress and challenges and reassess goals as needed.
Symptoms not explained by, or out of proportion to, objective findings are not uncommon after COVID-19 and should not be dismissed, even if there is not yet a full understanding of their etiology or their expected duration.

Effective Post-COVID care can include:
1


	Providing holistic patient-centered management approaches to improve patient quality of life and function and partnering with patients to identify achievable health goals.
	

2


	Facilitating standardized, trauma-informed approaches to assessing symptoms and conditions.
	

3


	Setting expectations with patients and their families that outcomes from Post-COVID Conditions differ among patients. Some patients may experience symptom improvement within the first three months, whereas others may continue to experience prolonged or worsening of symptoms.
	

4


	Continuing follow-up over the course of illness, with considerations of broadening the testing and management approach over time if symptoms do not improve or resolve, while remaining transparent that there is much more to learn about Post-COVID Conditions.
	

5


	Establishing partnerships with specialists for physical and mental health care, when needed, which may include comprehensive rehabilitation services.
	

6


	Connecting patients to social services when available, including assistance for other hardships (e.g., financial, family illness, bereavement, caregiving), resources on disability and reasonable accommodations for work or school, and connections to patient support groups.
	

Symptom management approaches
Many Post-COVID Conditions can be improved through established symptom management approaches (e.g., breathing exercises to improve symptoms of dyspnea).
Long COVID
If you are struggling with long COVID symptoms or suspect you have long COVID, don't wait to seek care. Reach out to a health care provider as early as possible.
If you do not have a health care provider, use the NYS Provider & Health Plan Look-Up tool to find one that works with your health plan.
Because management of long COVID may require a team approach, a healthcare provider can help you get referrals to other providers who offer focused care. This may include a pulmonologist, cardiologist, neurologist, as well as mental health experts, physical or occupational therapists, and social workers, depending on your symptoms and severity.
If you need affordable health insurance, NY State of Health can help you compare health plans and find the right insurance for you and your family. NY State of Health offers plans with low or no premiums, free preventive services, no co-pay for primary care, and low-cost prescriptions. NY State of Health programs include Medicaid, Child Health Plus, the Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans. Expanded financial help is available to lower health insurance costs for more New Yorkers. To learn more or enroll, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov, call 1-855-355-5777, or contact an enrollment assistor for free help.
For COVID-19-related questions and other information relating to health coverage, visit the NYS Department of Financial Services' COVID-19 FAQ page here.
I'm worried my healthcare provider won't believe that I have long COVID. What can I do to advocate for myself?
Symptoms of long COVID may continue after the initial infection or may appear after the initial illness has passed, and may be difficult to explain. There is no one diagnostic test for long COVID, and the results of routine tests such as x-rays and electrocardiograms may appear normal. People experiencing these types of symptoms may be misunderstood by healthcare providers, which delays progress towards accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment. It is important to inform healthcare providers of a known history of COVID-19 infection, severe illness, or hospitalization.
Antibody (Serology) Testing for COVID-19: Information for Patients and Consumers | FDA
It also can take days to weeks after the infection for your body to make detectable antibodies.
Antibody Tests: Not for Use to Check Immunity
Q: Will a positive result on a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test mean I have immunity and I will not get COVID-19?
A: No. At this time, SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests do not tell you if you have immunity that will prevent you from getting COVID-19. A positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test does not necessarily mean you are immune or have immunity that will prevent COVID-19. More research is needed to understand what SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results can tell us. And, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected in your blood reflect only one part of your immune system, which also includes T-cells and other components that are part of your body's immune response.
Q: Should I get a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test to decide if I need a COVID-19 vaccine or after I am vaccinated to see if my vaccine worked?
A: No. At this time, antibody test results should not be used to decide if you need a COVID-19 vaccine or a vaccine booster, or to determine whether your vaccine worked. There is not a clear connection between SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results, the need for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, or whether a vaccine worked in a person. Also, some SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests may not detect the kind of antibodies created following vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected in your blood reflect only one part of your immune system, which also includes T-cells and other components that are part of your body's immune response.
More research is needed to understand the role of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing in evaluating a person's immunity or protection against COVID-19 and understanding if antibody tests will be helpful for deciding if a person should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have questions about whether a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test is right for you, talk with your health care provider or your state or local health department.