COVID-19 Antibody Test

Does this take a look at produce other names?

SARS-CoV-2 serology take a look at; COVID-19 serology take a look at; COVID-19 semi-quantitative take a look at

What is that this take a look at?

This blood take a look at checks in the event you had a COVID-19 an infection previously. COVID-19 is brought on by a coronavirus referred to as SARS-CoV-2. The take a look at appears to be like for proteins in your blood (antibodies) that present up in the event you had the an infection. The take a look at doesn’t present in the event you’re contaminated with COVID-19 proper now. That’s a unique kind of take a look at referred to as a viral take a look at. That’s accomplished to diagnose a present COVID-19 an infection. An antibody take a look at is completed to see in the event you had a earlier COVID-19 an infection.

It could actually take your physique 1 to three weeks to make antibodies as a response to an an infection. This take a look at checks for 2 forms of antibodies, referred to as IgM and IgG, that develop after an individual is contaminated. IgM antibodies present up first. IgG antibodies can present up a couple of days after that. Your take a look at outcomes could present you’ve one or each of most of these antibodies in your blood.

Newer COVID-19 antibody assessments, referred to as semi-quantitative assessments, estimate the quantity of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in your blood. Right now, no antibody take a look at can predict whether or not you might be immune from COVID-19 as a result of consultants are nonetheless studying concerning the virus.

Why do I want this take a look at?

You’ll have this take a look at in case your healthcare supplier thinks you could have had COVID-19. This isn’t a take a look at for individuals who could have a present an infection or signs.

What different assessments may I’ve together with this take a look at?

In some circumstances, a healthcare supplier can also take a look at for an lively COVID-19 an infection. That is referred to as a viral take a look at. It appears to be like only for both viral proteins (antigens) or viral nucleic acids (PCR take a look at). The sort of testing is completed with a nasal or throat swab. Or you could have assessments for an additional kind of an infection, corresponding to influenza or bronchitis. You’ll have one other blood take a look at, lung sputum take a look at, or a chest X-ray.

What do my take a look at outcomes imply?

Take a look at outcomes could fluctuate relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, the tactic used for the take a look at, and different issues. Your take a look at outcomes could not imply you’ve an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your take a look at outcomes imply for you.

A optimistic take a look at consequence means the take a look at could have discovered antibodies in your blood from a earlier COVID-19 an infection, from a associated coronavirus an infection, or from having acquired a COVID-19 vaccine. You could take a look at optimistic even in the event you didn’t really feel sick. Some individuals who had COVID-19 had no signs or delicate signs.

A adverse take a look at consequence means the take a look at didn’t discover these antibodies in your blood. This implies you seemingly didn’t have a COVID-19 an infection previously. Or it may imply you had or have an an infection, and your physique hasn’t created antibodies but.

In case you had a semi-quantitative take a look at, the outcomes could present an estimate of the quantity of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in your blood.

Ask your healthcare supplier when to count on to study your outcomes. The timing is predicated on whether or not you’ve a fast take a look at that may present leads to half-hour, or a take a look at despatched to a lab for outcomes. The kind of take a look at you’ve varies by what is offered in your space.

It doesn’t matter what your take a look at outcomes are, it’s necessary to observe CDC and your state and native directions about sporting face masks and social distancing. Additionally apply good handwashing. That is to guard others. It’s additionally as a result of researchers don’t know but if having antibodies for COVID-19 means that you’re protected against getting the virus once more. If the antibodies do defend an individual, consultants don’t understand how lengthy that lasts. It could possibly be for as much as 8 months.

How is that this take a look at accomplished?

The take a look at is completed with a blood pattern. The tip of your finger could also be pricked with a small, sharp gadget. Or a needle could also be used to attract blood from a vein in your arm or hand.

Does this take a look at pose any dangers?

Having blood taken from a vein with a needle has some dangers. These embody bleeding, an infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you could really feel a slight sting or ache. Afterward, the location could also be sore.

What may have an effect on my take a look at outcomes?

The accuracy of the take a look at varies. It depends upon a number of components. The sort of take a look at is new, and there are assessments from many testing firms proper now. Some assessments are accepted by the FDA, however many should not. Due to this, the confirmed accuracy of their outcomes varies. Some assessments are extra dependable than others. This implies your take a look at outcomes is probably not appropriate. You could take a look at optimistic with out having COVID-19 previously. You could take a look at adverse even in the event you had been contaminated.

Additionally, as a result of it takes 1 to three weeks for antibodies to indicate up, the take a look at outcomes additionally rely upon when you’ve the take a look at. Having this take a look at too quickly after an infection means it could not present COVID-19 antibodies.

As a result of your take a look at outcomes is probably not correct, you continue to must observe your state and native directions about sporting face masks and social distancing.

How do I prepare for this take a look at?

You needn’t put together for this take a look at. Make sure your healthcare supplier is aware of about all medicines, herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. This contains medicines that do not want a prescription and any unlawful medication you could use.

Final modified date: 5/2/2022