Upper Respiratory Testing

Upper respiratory testing plays an important role in diagnosing several health conditions. At A+ Urgent Care in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ashkan Hashemisabour, PA-C, Eduardo Ramos, MD, and their team offer upper respiratory testing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of upper respiratory testing?

Several different conditions can create problems in your upper respiratory system, which includes your sinuses and throat. Some of these infections include:

Laryngitis
Epiglottis
Sinusitis
Pharyngitis
Common cold

COVID-19 can affect both your upper respiratory and lower respiratory systems.

When should I come in for upper respiratory testing?

Understanding the signs of an upper respiratory system infection can help you determine when to seek care for yourself or a loved one. Some of the symptoms of these conditions include:

Cough
Sore throat
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Hoarse voice
Runny nose
Fatigue

There’s no need to suffer through these symptoms when upper respiratory testing can determine the source and get you started on a prompt treatment path.

What should I expect during upper respiratory testing?

The process is simple and quick. Your practitioner collects a sample of cells from the back of your throat and nose using a special swab inserted into one of your nostrils. The sensation is strange but isn’t painful. Another option is an approach called a nasal wash, which involves your practitioner flushing a small amount of saline solution into your nose. A device creates gentle suction to pull that fluid out of your nose and into a specimen cup.

What are my COVID-19 testing options?

A+ Urgent Care provides a safe and comfortable environment and follows strict hygiene protocols to ensure minimal contact during the testing.

Rapid test

Your provider administers this test via a nasal swab. Test results come back in 15 minutes, detecting if you’re actively infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test

This test is performed via a nasal swab. It’s considered the gold standard of COVID-19 testing, offering accurate detections of infection.

Antibody Test

This antibody test detects if your body has built up antibodies for the COVID-19 virus, using a saliva sample or nasal swab. A positive antibody test may mean you’ve previously had exposure to the virus and possibly have future immunity.

COVID, RSV, and flu test

A PCR test helps determine your COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) status, using just one quick swab. Symptoms of these respiratory infections are often similar, and the test makes it easier to determine what’s making you sick.