What Is the COVID 19 Antibody Test?
The antibody test, also known as serology testing, helps determine if you’ve had a past infection with the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) but not in the present. Unlike the PCR and Rapid antigen tests, antibody tests cannot be used to diagnose COVID-19.
This is possible because antibodies can stay in your body for months after you’ve been infected with COVID-19. But it can also take about 2 weeks before your body starts to produce the antibodies. These antibodies are simply proteins that your immune system produces to fight against the virus.
Why Do People Take Antibody Tests?
- The people who think they might have had the virus (because they saw some symptoms) but weren’t tested.
- If they’re about to undergo a procedure at a hospital and you’ve been diagnosed positive in the past
- The person has had the infection in the past and wants to donate plasma.
You should talk to a healthcare professional to get more information on which test is right for you.
What Happens When You Test Negative or Positive for the Antibody Tests?
There’s a common misconception that testing positive for the antibody test automatically means that you’re immune to the COVID-19, which is wrong. It has not been proven that these antibodies will protect you from getting COVID-19 again because there have been cases where people contracted the virus again. But it’s rare.
On the other hand, testing negative for COVID-19 could mean you had COVID-19 in the past but haven’t developed the antibodies. Another meaning could be that you may not have been infected for the COVID-19 previously.
Where Can You Get Antibody Test?
An antibody test can be prescribed to you by a health provider, and the test can be done in testing sites near you.
At Wearelifeline, we have vetted many antibody tests and are proud to offer one of the most accurate tests available: Roche Elecsys ANTI-SARS-CoV-2 total antibody test.
Our Norco testing site is located on 5555 Hamner Ave, Norco CA 92860, and is open Sunday-Monday from 7:30 am-9:45 pm, making it easy to find an appointment time that works with your schedule. We now take walk-in appointments, so feel free to stop by anytime within our hours. If you would like to make an appointment or learn more about our offerings, visit our website.
Sources:
https://bestmedicaltestingsites.com/how-does-a-rapid-antigen-test-for-covid-19-work/