True or False: The COVID-19 viral test indicates if you have had a previous infection.

The COVID-19 viral test is designed to detect a current infection with the virus, specifically by identifying the presence of the virus's genetic material or proteins. This test will show whether someone is currently infected at the time of testing, but it does not provide information about whether a person has had previous infections.

In contrast, tests that indicate previous infections are typically serological tests, which detect antibodies developed in response to the virus. These antibodies can remain in the body even after the infection has resolved. Therefore, if the goal is to understand whether someone has experienced a past infection, this would require a different type of testing than the viral test.

The other options do not accurately represent the function of a viral test, clarifying that it is focused solely on identifying active infections. This understanding helps clarify the role of different COVID-19 tests and ensures accurate interpretations of test results regarding the timing of infections.