
Infections and Fever
Published on 2 November 2026
Answered & medically reviewed by
Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Malik✓ Doctor verified
MBBS, MD (Pathology) • 17 Years experience
A COVID-19 test result does not have a fixed validity period. It only indicates whether the virus was detected at the time of testing, so a negative result does not guarantee that you won't develop an infection later. If you have COVID-like symptoms but your rapid antigen test is negative, the infection may still be in its early stages. In such cases, repeat the test after 48 hours. A positive result generally indicates a COVID-19 infection. If symptoms persist despite negative test results, consult a doctor to rule out COVID-19 or other infections.
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