“You sound knowledgeable. So, if you contract COVID, should the test indicate you are positive before you are infectious, or after?”
The test confirms that your body is fighting the virus. If you have the virus and your body has yet to react the test will be negative.
If the affected virus molecules have not migrated to the area of the swab the test will be negative.
Thank you, but my question was whether you would or might be infectious, even in such a condition.
My guess from your answer would be, yes. It seems that the virus could be multiplying to the extent that you can pass it to others before your body has figured out how to fight it.
That is just a guess, though. I suppose it may be possible that there is no way the virus could have progressed to that level without some immune system reaction which would be detectable by the test.