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(224) 888-3033
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Overview

Testing and early detection is important when it comes to optimal medical care. Quick detection and immediate treatment through our lab tests for many illnesses are critical in saving lives. Especially in children and older adults whose bodies cannot handle the increased stress from viral and bacterial infections. CareCentrics Lab offers in-house testing for many viruses and bacterial infections with results in as little as 2 hours. We specialize in respiratory conditions, and we recently added Covid-19 testing of both rapid molecular and antigen detection and RT-PCR. CareCentrics Lab is a full service lab, does lab tests, with the ability to test for hormones, most STD’s, a wide variety of drug testing, and wellness panels. Contact us for more details.

Book an Appointment
Book an Appointment
(224) 888-3033
(224) 888-3033

Respiratory Specialty Lab Tests

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Influenza A&B

Also known as the common flu, Influenza A and B are two different strains of the same Influenza virus. It is an airborne virus and usually spread through droplets in the air, but can also be transmitted through objects like keyboards and doorknobs.
Usually the symptoms are mild and does not require hospitalization. However in young children and adults over 65 years of age, they can manifest more severe complications such as Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Asthma flare-ups, heart problems, trouble breathing, ear infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The Influenza A strain is fast changing and mutating and accounts for most of the Influenza infections in the world. The Influenza B strain changes more slowly than the A strain, however can show more severe symptoms. Most Influenza tests checks for both strains of the virus to rule out other illnesses with similar symptoms. Because many symptoms overlap and coincide with several different illnesses, practitioners like to rule out the more common diseases first to narrow down the possibilities and find the root cause.

CareCentrics Lab has both strip tests for point of care diagnosis, as well as the more accurate molecular and PCR tests for more sensitive detection.

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Strep A

Strep throat is a bacterial infection commonly found in the throat and skin and is caused by the Streptococcus pyrogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is most commonly found in children, but can also infect people of all ages. If left untreated, Strep throat can lead to kidney infection or Rheumatic Fever. Rheumatic Fever causes painful inflammation of the joints, a rash, and heart valve damage. Some of the symptoms of Strep throat is sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, headache, nausea, rash and sometimes small red dots in the back and roof of the mouth. Because these symptoms coincide with other illnesses, without proper testing is often missed. Therefore, if Strep A is suspected, immediate testing is crucial in identifying and treating this infection to prevent possible long term damage. A quick strip test can be used as a point of care option, and the remaining sample will be processed in our in house lab for a more accurate diagnosis. If the bacteria is present in small quantities or if tested too early, the strip test can sometimes miss the presence of the Strep A bacteria. A follow up PCR test is necessary to detect even the smallest amount of the bacteria for more accurate results.
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Pertussis / Whooping Cough

Whooping Cough is a respiratory disorder caused by the Bordetella Pertussis bacteria. It is a highly contagious disorder that mostly affects infants and young children. It can also be found in teenagers and older adults with no or diminished immunity. It is an airborne illness and can be transmitted by coughing and sneezing and droplet transference. Complications from whooping cough in teenagers and adults are not severe. However, in children and infants especially under the age of 6 months, complications from whooping cough are more severe and can lead to pneumonia, trouble breathing, dehydration, seizures and brain damage.

COVID-19 Test Services

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Covid-19 – RT-PCR Test

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test looks for the RNA or genetic material from a specific Virus. It is considered the ‘Gold Standard’ in detecting the SARS-COV-2 virus, as it can detect the virus earlier and in people who are asymptomatic. This test can be done anywhere but the turnaround time is longer, usually 2-3 days or 24 hours for rushed samples. There are currently no ‘Rapid PCR-test’ with results in minutes.
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Covid-19 – Antigen Test

This test detects the protein fragments (antigens) from the SARS-COV-2 virus. The results are available within 15 minutes and is fairly accurate in detecting patients’ positive for Covid-19. However, due to its detection of the protein fragments, it may take several days for your body to shed enough of this protein before the test can accurately detect it. In other words, if tested too early it may yield what they call a ‘false negative’. A ‘false negative’ means that the test is negative when you still may have the virus. The negative sensitivity rate for the SOFIA by Quidel is 96.7% within 5 days of onset.

This test is best when performed on patients with symptoms or after active exposure. The Antigen test by SOFIA used by CareCentrics Urgent Care is one of the most accurate antigen tests currently on the market.
Quidel says its COVID-19 antigen test is now on par with PCR accuracy.
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Covid-19 – Molecular Test

The Abbott ID NOW testing platform tests for a small section of the genome, or genetic material, of the SARS-CoV-2, then amplifies that section until there is enough to detect for the virus. Positive results are available in as little for as 5 minutes and negative results are available in 13 minutes. This is a portable device that can perform accurate tests outside of the four walls of a hospital or lab, and is a crucial step in controlling COVID-19. It gets answers quickly to front-line point of care facilities and obtained its EUA approval from the FDA early in the pandemic. The Abbott ID NOW testing platform allows CareCentrics Urgent Care to perform large number of tests, directly at sites where it is needed most, for accurate detection of the COVID-19 virus in minutes.
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Covid-19 – Antibodies Test

Antibody Tests, also known as serology tests, check to see if a person has been previously infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In response to any viral infection, the body creates antibodies to fight off that specific virus. So, when antibodies from a virus are found in your system, there is a good chance that your body was once infected. Antibody tests do not look for active infections, as your body does not start producing them until 1-3 weeks after infection. There are two types of antibodies that can be tested, the IgG and the IgM. The IgM antibody is the first antibody that the body produces, begins to rise 1 week after infection and begins to decline after about 10 days from onset and is undetectable at around 28 days. The IgG antibody, on the other hand, develop usually 10 days after initial onset but remain in the blood long after the infection has passed. This is the most abundant antibody that the body produces, and can protect the body from reinfections for a certain period of time. Currently it is unknown how long natural immunity to COVID-19 lasts after infection. It is important to test for both antibodies as it can give your doctor a good idea of where your body is in forming natural immunity. It can also detect if you’ve had the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the past and if the antibodies are still in you system.
Test for Past Infection
CareCentrics Urgent Care utilizes a rapid Antibody test that can test for both the IgG and IgM antibodies and produce results in minutes. This test is a blood test and is usually covered by insurance or the federal CARES Act.

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