symptoms and if it s covid, does that mean a covid test would show it at that point? if i have cold symptoms and i test and it s negative, does that mean it s not covid? i ll unpack that. so it depends on what kind of test you get? remember, the pcr test and the chain reaction, it amplifies the viral dna. it s actually more accurate. the results take longer to come back. it takes 24 to 72 hours. the rapid antigen test, you get it back in 15 to 30 minutes and it s less accurate. it depends when you get it in your symptom course. if you re having symptoms you should be able to be producing enough viral load to test positive, but remember, if you have symptoms and you re covid negative it could depend on the type of test, when you get it, but if it s negative get the flu