Frequently Ask Questions

Read our FAQs to clear your doubts about Covid-19 testing services.

  • Who can get tested?

    Everyone can get the rapid testing COVID at Chicago through Lab Elite.

  • Where can we get tested?

    There are a lot of testing labs available in the city that provides COVID-19 test facility to people. Visit our nearest branch or call us to get same-day results of COVID testing in Chicago.

  • Should I get tested more than once?

    It depends on your health condition and vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, you have to get tested more often, even with no symptoms.

  • What are the different types of COVID-19 diagnostic tests?

    • RT-PCR
    • Antibody
    • LFTs

  • What is at-home testing?

    At-home testing provides a facility to stay at home and provide the sample for testing sent to the lab, and the patient gets results in a few days.

  • How do I know what kind of COVID-19 diagnostic test to get?

    Depending on your health condition and symptoms, your doctor can help you know which test is suitable for you.

  • How is antibody testing done?

    A technician will take a small amount of your blood via a finger prick. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is tested for one or both types of antibodies.

    • Early in infection, IgM antibodies are produced.
    • Antibodies of the type IgG are more likely to appear later.

  • What does a negative antibody test result mean?

    A negative result indicates that you most likely didn't have COVID.

  • What is the difference between a diagnostic test and an antibody test?

    A diagnostic test, often known as a "viral test," looks for evidence that you're infected right now. An antibody test, also known as the "serology test," can reveal if you've been infected with the virus or have been vaccinated against it.

  • What is a "false positive"?

    A false positive is an incorrect test result, indicating that the individual is infected when they are not or that they have antibodies when they do not.

  • What is the procedure for performing rapid antigen tests?

    Because SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus, rapid antigen testing requires the patient's respiratory specimens (usually a nasopharyngeal or nasal swab). After being collected, samples are put in an extraction buffer or reagent and analyzed for antigens unique to SARS-CoV-2.

  • What Are Antibody Tests and How Do They Work?

    Antibody testing uses blood samples as the specimen type. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are combined with the patient's blood, and if antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are present, the two will bind to one other, resulting in a color shift that indicates the test is positive.
    It's crucial to note that this test only checks for the presence of antibodies generated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, not for the virus itself. As a result, it does not show whether or not someone is currently infected.

  • What does a positive diagnostic test result mean?

    A positive result means that you are suffering from COVID-19, and you must keep your distance from others and isolate your self and take good care of yourself.

  • What does a negative diagnostic test result mean?

    A negative result means that you are most likely not suffering from COVID-19, but still, you must keep your distance from others, and if you have any symptoms, you must be more careful. Sometimes you are suffering from the virus, but tests don't detect it.

  • If I have been vaccinated against COVID-19, will I test positive for COVID-19?

    Even if you are vaccinated for COVID-19, you can still get positive test results from your recent exposure.

  • What are antibodies?

    Antibodies are the proteins produced by the body to help fight infections. They mostly protect us from getting the same infection again.

  • What is the purpose of COVID-19 antibody testing?

    Antibodies are found in the blood of people who have been previously infected with or vaccinated against a disease-causing virus; they demonstrate the body's efforts (past infection) or preparedness (past infection or vaccination) to fight the virus.

  • Who can get an antibody test?

    People who are fully recovered from COVID can get antibody tests.

  • What does a positive antibody test result mean?

    A positive test result indicates that antibodies were found in your blood, indicating that you had COVID-19 in the past. It's also possible that you didn't have COVID-19 and the antibodies found were from a virus related to it. This is referred to as a false positive.

  • If I have COVID-19 antibodies, should I still get a COVID-19 vaccine?

    Yes, even if you have antibodies, you should get vaccinated to boost and strengthen your immune system.

  • Will my antibodies test result affect whether I can go to work?

    No, your antibodies test result doesn't decide whether you can go to work or not.

  • I don't have symptoms, but I need a COVID-19 test for travel reasons. Can I get tested?

    Yes, you can get tested for any reason.

  • What Are Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests and How Do They Work?

    Because SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus, nucleic acid amplification testing necessitates the collection of respiratory samples from the patient. The most frequent method is to utilize nasopharyngeal swabs. Lower respiratory secretions such as sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are also utilized if a patient has pneumonia or a lung infection.
    After that, the samples are processed and analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Extraction of RNA from the patient material, conversion to DNA, and PCR amplification with SARS-CoV-2-specific primers are all part of the test.

Frequently Ask Questions

Read our FAQs to get deeper knowledge about Clinical toxicology testing services.

  • Why do I need a toxicology test?

    You can get toxicology test for many reasons your doctor can order you or your job policy needs it or it can be done for legal reasons.

  • Where can we get tested?

    There are many labs available in the city that provide toxicology test facility. Visit our nearest branch or call us.

  • How is the test done?

    It depends on your health condition and vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, you have to get tested more often, even if you have no symptoms.

  • What does a positive test result mean?

    A positive test result indicates that drugs are found in your sample. If first test is positive than second test is done to find the type of drug.

  • What does a negative test result mean?

    A positive test result indicates that no drugs are found in your sample.

  • What kind of results should I expect from toxicology?

    The effects of the concentration vary from person to person, and all factors must be considered when determining whether a substance found in the system can be identified as causing or contributing to behavioral changes or death.

  • To what does ng/mL refer?

    Nano grams per milliliter, abbreviated ng/mL, is the unit of measure most commonly used to express drug testing cut-off levels and quantitative test results in urine and oral fluid. A Nano gram is 10-9 grams. 

  • What is the turnaround time for results?

    Screening test results are available within one working day whereas confirmatory results are generally available within two working days. 

  • What sample is most appropriate?

    Urine is the best sample for substance abuse testing.  It is non-invasive, easy to obtain, can be collected under supervision and contains drugs at concentrations, which are easily detectable.

  • What is specimen validity testing?

    Specimen validity testing (SVT) is performed on a urine drug screen specimen to detect substitution, adulteration, or dilution.

  • How many types of test are there?

    • Blood test
    • Urine test
    • Saliva test

  • How is blood test done?

    The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch.

  • How is urine test done?

    It is not painful to collect a urine sample. Another person may watch while you collect the sample. This may make you feel uncomfortable.

  • How is saliva test done?

    It is not painful to collect a saliva sample. Another person will collect the sample or watch you collect the sample.

  • Which things affect the test?

    You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if

    • You drink or eat some types of food (such as a food that contains poppy seeds).
    • You have blood in your urine.
    • There is too much time between taking the drug and collecting the sample.
    • You don't give a large enough urine sample.

  • How long does alcohol stay in urine?

    Alcohol has a short half-life in the urine. A urine drug test for alcohol may detect alcohol for 2 to 12 hours.

  • Why are screening and confirmation cut-off levels different?

    Screening and confirmation testing uses different testing methodologies that have different specificity and sensitivity.

  • What are the costs for drug testing?

    Exact costing will depend on how many drugs are included in the screening procedure and on the number of samples tested.

  • How would a drug test be evaluated when nitrites are 199 mg/mL?

    The nitrite result would be negative, as this level would not interfere with our testing process. The drug test(s) ordered would be conducted and reported following standard operating procedures.