Antibody Testing for COVID-19
Did you know that not everyone who catches COVID-19 has symptoms? People can be exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and not know it. There’s not yet a vaccine for this virus, but there is a simple blood test that can tell how many people have been exposed to it.
What is an antibody test?
An antibody test is also called a serology test. A person who has had COVID-19 and recovered will have antibodies to the virus in their blood. Antibodies are virus-killers, the immune system’s response to infection. The presence of antibodies to COVID-19 means that a person has had the virus and successfully fought it off. This knowledge is especially important with a virus like COVID-19, which can be spread by people with few or no symptoms.
Unfortunately, we can’t use antibody testing to determine if an individual is immune to the disease. At this point, researchers don’t know enough about how long antibodies might protect a person. Antibody testing is also not meant to diagnosis COVID-19.
Why do we need antibody testing?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is using this test to learn how many Americans have been exposed to the virus and how many are still at risk for infection. Scientists are collecting data to determine how widespread the virus is and how sick it makes most people. Scientists also want to learn what happens when people who have recovered from the virus are exposed to it again.
Once scientists know who has had the virus, they can find out how sick it makes most people. They can also learn what happens if people who’ve had COVID-19 are exposed to it again. Finding out who is immune to the virus will help officials make decisions about when it’s safe for people to stop socially isolating and return to their normal lives.
Antibody testing may also be key to a possible treatment for COVID-19 called convalescent plasma. Plasma is the liquid component of blood. In people who have recovered from COVID-19 infection, plasma contains the antibodies those people developed in fighting off the virus. Researchers are studying the possibility that this antibody-rich plasma may be a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 patients.
How does antibody testing work?
Antibody testing is a simple blood test that detects two types of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies — IgM and IgG.
IgM antibodies develop early in an infection, usually about four weeks after infection. IgG antibodies will typically show up after a patient has recovered from an infection. Scientists are currently researching to find out exactly how long this process takes with COVID-19.
Should I have an antibody test?
The antibody test is not designed to test any individual who has symptoms. What’s more, if you are still having symptoms of COVID-19, your antibodies will probably not be detected with testing. But if you have tested positive but have fully recovered from the virus, you are a good candidate for antibody testing.
How can I get tested?
The antibody tests are not widely available yet. You should check with your medical provider if you would like to have the test, as the CDC and others are working on getting more tests out to the public. The FDA is also getting more tests approved and designating manufacturers, so keep checking with your provider or local hospital.
Another way for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to get antibody testing is to volunteer to donate plasma to the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project.
If you have tested negative for the virus but would still like antibody testing, the National Institute of Health (NIH) is conducting a study of blood from 10,000 people who have tested negative. They are researching how many people have had the infection without knowing it. Anyone who would like to participate in the study should e-mail the NIH at clinicalstudiesunit@nih.gov.
Is antibody testing accurate?
For the most part, yes. Most people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have had the disease. But false negatives are possible if a person with the virus has been infected for a short time.
False positives are also possible. An individual may have antibodies to a different type of coronavirus that they recovered from in the past.
A final word about testing
The FDA is warning against many companies that are offering COVID-19 testing to be done at home. There are currently no FDA-authorized home tests of any kind for COVID-19. If you know of any companies offering at-home testing products, the FDA asks that you report them. If you are showing symptoms and need diagnostic testing, the FDA urges you to follow CDC guidelines and speak to your health care provider.
For Employers
Keep your employees and community safe. The COVID-19 Antibody Test can help you make informed decisions regarding your staff’s return to work or secure interaction with others. If you are interested in testing your employees, we’re here for you. We now offer free COVID-19 antibody testing with most insurances.
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