question: how early is "too early" when it comes to getting a covid test

[orleans]

the cdc says
"A negative test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing or that your sample was collected too early in your infection." (listed under the heading "what to do after a viral test"
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html

it's that last part that's bothering me. too early in the infection? so if you've been exposed then how early is too early to be tested? an hour? two days? a week???

the post someone put up about alyssa milano got me wondering about this. i have a friend who was exposed to someone who tested positive but was asymptomatic and so my friend got tested two days later. results aren't back yet but was that too soon? (will they tell him he is negative but only because he got tested too early?) ugh!

the stories i read about all these false negative tests make me realize our testing capabilities kinda suck

[Maru Kitteh]

1. It takes 2-3 days after contracting the virus for you to have sufficient viral load for detection.

[orleans]

2. so exposed on a monday and tested on wednesday could possibly be too soon

and you'll test negative? (b/c that's what my friend did)

[groundloop]

3. And that brings up the next logical question.... when should you seek medical attention?

Not that I have any reason to think I've been infected, but I haven't seen much of any guidance (maybe because I'm staying in my own little world) as far as how sick should you be before seeking medical attention. As soon as you exhibit symptoms? When you have a fever of 104? When you feel an elephant standing on your chest? And should you go to 'Immediate Care', your regular doctor, or straight to Emergency?