The swab test can tell if you have the COVID-19 virus in your body at that moment.

Results are available within 1-3 hours.

The swab test can tell if you have the influenza A and/or B virus in your body at that moment.

Results are available within 1-3 hours.

What is Influenza (Flu)?

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Flu Symptoms

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Flu Spreads

Allergies testing is available. A simple blood test can check for environmental allergies common to the San Joaquin Valley / Kern county regions.

Results are usually available in 3-5 days.

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19). Seasonal allergies triggered by airborne pollen can lead to seasonal allergic rhinitis, which affects the nose and sinuses, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which affects the eyes.

COVID-19 and seasonal allergies share many symptoms. It may be difficult to tell the difference between them, and you may need to get a test to confirm your diagnosis.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Sneezing

For more information, please refer to cdc.gov.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae testing is available. This is a blood test.

Results are usually available in 5-7 days.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a type of “atypical” bacteria that commonly causes mild infections of the respiratory system. In fact, pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae is sometimes referred to as “walking pneumonia” since symptoms tend to be milder than pneumonia caused by other germs. The most common type of illness caused by these bacteria, especially in children, is tracheobronchitis, commonly called a chest cold. Symptoms often include being tired and having a sore throat, fever, and cough. Sometimes M. pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, a more serious lung infection, which may require care in a hospital.

Signs and Symptoms

In general, infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae are mild. Once someone becomes infected with the bacteria, symptoms usually appear after 1 to 4 weeks.

Symptoms depend on the type of infection. The most common type of infection is tracheobronchitis (chest cold), but pneumonia (lung infection) can occur.

Common symptoms of a chest cold include:

• Sore throat
• Feeling tired
• Fever
• Slowly worsening cough that can last for weeks or months
• Headache

Common symptoms of pneumonia include:

• Cough that may produce mucus
• Fever and chills
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Feeling tired

Children younger than 5 years old could have symptoms that are different from older children, and may have the following cold-like symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sore throat
• Watery eyes
• Wheezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

For more information, please refer to cdc.gov.

Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) testing is available. This is a blood test.

Results are usually available in 5-7 days.

What is Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)?

Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. The fungus is known to live in the soil in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America. The fungus was also recently found in south-central Washington. People can get Valley fever by breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air, although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick. Usually, people who get sick with Valley fever will get better on their own within weeks to months, but some people will need antifungal medication. Certain groups of people are at higher risk for becoming severely ill. It’s difficult to prevent exposure to Coccidioides in areas where it’s common in the environment, but people who are at higher risk for severe Valley fever should try to avoid breathing in large amounts of dust if they’re in these areas.

Symptoms of Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)

Many people who are exposed to the fungus Coccidioides never have symptoms.  Other people may have flu-like symptoms that go usually away on their own after weeks to months. If your symptoms last for more than a week, contact your healthcare provider.

Symptoms of Valley Fever include:

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Night sweats
• Muscle aches or joint pain
• Rash on upper body or legs
• For more information, please refer to cdc.gov.