COVID-19 Response
Latest updates, information and planning

A guide to testing

Use this information to determine your next steps for testing and what to do after getting your results. Flowcharts have been created to help guide you through the steps for each testing process described on this webpage.

Antigen Testing for UW–Madison Students and Employees

For those who have symptoms and/or those who are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

Students in residence halls: Continue to follow instructions from University Housing about quarantine and isolation in addition to the guidance below.

If your antigen test is negative

  • If you are not having symptoms, no additional testing is needed. You most likely do not have COVID-19 at this time. Continue to monitor for symptoms and test as needed.
  • If you are having symptoms, continue to isolate. You may have COVID-19 but you tested before the virus was detectable or you may have another illness. You may consider retesting with a second antigen test 24 to 48 hours later. See guidance from the FDA on retesting.
  • If symptoms worsen, students can schedule an appointment with a provider by calling UHS or logging into MyUHS. Students can also call UHS to speak to a nurse to determine whether there is a need for additional testing or treatment. Employees may want to contact a health care provider.
  • If the second test is positive, isolate for at least 5 full days AND until you have been at least 24 hours without a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) and your other symptoms are resolving.  Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • If the second test is negative, no additional testing is needed. You most likely do not have COVID-19 at this time. Limit contact with others while you are sick. Consult a health care provider if you have questions.

If your antigen test is positive

  • Isolate for at least 5 full days AND until you have been at least 24 hours without a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) and your other symptoms are resolving. Wear a mask around others for 10 days.

Reporting Results

In keeping with the state’s COVID-19 reporting practices, you are not required to submit results from self-administered antigen tests to the MyUHS app or website. Currently the state requirement for reporting is a positive PCR test or a positive antigen test administered by a trained individual at a testing site.

If you receive a positive PCR test result off-campus, upload the result via the MyUHS app or website.