A member asked:

Hi dr. if all i have is a dry cough, should i get tested for covid 19? no recent travel or contact with high risk individuals. i have been given permission to visit a relative in icu during the lockdown, but don't want to make him sick.

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Get tested. : Visiting a patient in ICU could be risky. Get tested. I do not know their screening criteria to clear you for a visit.

Answered 3/27/2020

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Sounds risky: Using symptoms of fever, cough, or runny nose to screen for COVID-19 is not accurate because colds and flu have such symptoms. COVID testing is by nasal swab, but there's a shortage of test kits in this pandemic. Only local resources know local testing sites, times, restrictions. Even a negative test does not guarantee one does not have COVID-19. Safest for people to stay away from ICU patients.

Answered 3/27/2020

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