COVID-19 Antibody Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of tests can I get at HealthNeed Medical Urgent Care for COVID-19?

There are two types of tests for COVID-19. One is the diagnostic test to determine if you have the disease. The other is the antibody test, which tells us if you have had the disease and developed antibodies for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

• The diagnostic test (also called a viral or molecular test) is done with a nasal swab. It determines whether or not you currently have the virus. The test is important because many people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms. These people can spread the infection to others without even knowing that they have it.
• The antibody test (also called a serology test) is a simple blood draw. This test is done to look for IgG antibodies. Your body develops these antibodies in response to infection. If these antibodies are detected in your blood, it means that you have had the COVID-19 infection and fought it off.
  It’s important to note, though, that the antibody test isn’t foolproof. A negative result does not necessarily mean that you have not had the infection. And a positive result could mean that you have had a different type of coronavirus, now or in the past.

Scientists don’t yet know if people who have had COVID-19 infections have permanent immunity to it. At this point, it can only tell us if you have been exposed to the virus or have had the infection.

I don’t have any symptoms. Which test should I get?

Our providers will help to make that decision, so if you think you have been exposed, you must let your provider know. They will decide if you should have the diagnostic test for active infection or the antibody test.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 previously or have had symptoms of it, we will likely recommend the antibody test. We may also recommend antibody testing if you have had exposure to someone who has tested positive, even if you have no symptoms.

Who can get the antibody test?

As above, if you have had symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, even without symptoms, you should contact your provider. They will make recommendations based on your symptoms and history of exposure.

If you have been exposed to someone who has symptoms or tested positive, you are also a candidate for antibody testing. However, we recommend that you wait at least 14 days after symptoms begin or after exposure to a symptomatic person before getting an antibody test. It takes that long for your body to develop detectable antibodies.

If you are a first responder, essential employee, or healthcare worker, we offer antibody testing even if you are asymptomatic.

Can my children have an antibody test?

Yes. Children over six months old can be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. As far as we know, antibody testing is just as accurate for children as it for adults. If you think your child needs a test, call your provider. They will make recommendations based on your child’s history. Keep in mind that the antibody test involves a blood draw, which may be traumatic for some children. You may prefer to have this done at your pediatrician’s office.

Do I have to get sick from the coronavirus to get antibodies?

No. Scientists are learning that many people are testing positive for COVID-19 even though they have had no symptoms. The same is true for testing positive for antibodies. If you have the antibodies, you have been exposed to the virus, even if you have never felt sick.

I tested positive for COVID-19. Why should I get the antibody test?

Antibody testing is critical to help researchers learn more about the virus, how many people have had it, and how it spreads. For now, scientists don’t know if having IgG antibodies in your blood will produce immunity to COVID-19 or, if so if that immunity is permanent.

Antibody testing is also necessary to help researchers determine who can safely donate blood for convalescent plasma. Convalescent plasma is a possible treatment that researchers are studying for those who are critically ill with COVID-19.

How is the antibody test performed?

The antibody test is a simple blood test. After your blood is drawn, it will be sent to a testing lab to check for IgG antibodies. Remember that antibody testing is more likely to be accurate if you wait at least two weeks after you first notice symptoms. It will then take up to five days for your results to return.

How long will it take to get my test results?

Diagnostic test results usually take three days. One of our providers will contact you with your results. If you test positive, they will discuss their recommendations with you for the next steps.

The antibody test takes a little longer — from three to five days. Your provider will discuss with you when you take the test what the results mean and how to use that information.

What does it mean if my antibody test is positive?

If your test is positive, it means that you have probably been exposed to the virus in the past. Your body produces antibodies to fight infection. In some cases, once you have developed antibodies to an infection, you become immune to that infection. But antibodies to some viruses or infections either don’t provide immunity from future exposures or become less effective over time. We don’t yet know if antibodies to COVID-19 provide immunity from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. But research is ongoing, and study of antibody testing results will help to answer this critical question.

How much does the antibody test cost?

For most insurances, there is no cost to you for evaluation or testing for the antibody test but please call to verify. If you don’t have insurance, it costs $155.

I want to be tested. Is it safe to come to the Center?

We are taking all possible safety precautions for our patients and visitors. For example:

• We require everyone who enters to wear a mask, and we will provide one to you if needed.
• Our staff uses personal protective equipment (PPE) for every COVID-19 exam.
• We clean and disinfect exam rooms and equipment after each patient visit.
• We do our best to limit the time patients are in our center. We will ask you to call us and let us know you have arrived before you enter the building.
• If there is an unexpected delay, we will ask you to wait outside or in your car. We will call you or come out to let you know when we’re ready for you. This eliminates exposure to other patients in the office or waiting room.

What happens if I find out I have antibodies? Will I still need to practice social distancing?

Yes. Because we don’t yet know if having antibodies means you’re immune to the virus, social distancing is still necessary. You will also need to continue proper hygiene and frequent handwashing.

You will also still be able to transmit the virus to others if you have particles on your skin or clothing. So social distancing will continue to be necessary for the safety of others as well as yourself.

How long do COVID-19 antibodies last?

As of right now, we don’t know. Because COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus, scientists don’t yet have a lot of data about the virus or its antibodies. They will need to study the virus and antibody development in many, many patients over the long term (weeks and even decades) after infection and recovery. Antibody testing will help researchers learn about immunity from the virus in both individuals and communities.

I have antibodies. Does this mean that I can’t be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and get COVID-19 again?

Once again, we don’t yet know. Though permanent immunity is the case with some viruses, we know that it isn’t always the case. Even if your body clears the infection once, that does not necessarily mean that you can’t get it again. This is one reason why antibody testing is so important. Scientists need to understand what happens after people recover from the virus so they can make the right public health decisions.

I had a negative antibody test. What does that mean?

A negative antibody test means that no COVID-19 antibodies were detected in your blood. More than likely, you have never had exposure to SARS-CoV-2 or had the virus yourself. But remember that false negatives can happen if you were exposed less than two weeks before testing. That’s about how long it takes your body to develop antibodies to infection.

If you have a negative antibody test and also had a negative viral (diagnostic test), then you probably haven’t had the infection and don’t have it now.

But if you have a negative antibody test with a positive viral test, you have an active infection now, even if you don’t have symptoms.

What does it mean if I have a positive antibody test?

A positive test means that you most likely had COVID-19. There are false positives, though, which usually mean that you previously had a different type of virus similar to COVID-19 (such as a more common type of coronavirus).

If you have a positive antibody test with a negative viral test, you probably had a prior COVID-19 infection.

If you have a positive antibody test and a positive viral test, you have COVID-19 now (even if you are asymptomatic).

I haven’t tested positive for COVID-19. Can I still get an antibody test?

Yes. If you think you’ve been exposed to the virus, call your provider even if you’ve had no symptoms. They will determine whether it makes sense for you to have antibody testing. Again, you will need to wait 14 days after exposure or having any symptoms before testing will detect antibodies.

How accurate is the antibody test?

The truth is that no medical test is 100% accurate. You will need to have a discussion with your provider, who will be sure that you understand what your results mean and what to do next to protect yourself and others, including family members.

Are there health risks to having the COVID-19 antibody test?

There are no known health risks to COVID-19 antibody testing. Because the test consists of a blood draw, if you have had any adverse reactions to blood draws in the past (such as bleeding, bruising, or fainting), let your provider know before testing.

Is there anything else I need to know about testing positive to COVID-19 antibodies?

Scientists are currently concerned about the possibility of a false sense of immunity. For now, we don’t know if having SARS-CoV-2 antibodies means that you can’t become infected again. It is vitally important that you continue to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and proper handwashing, even if you test positive for antibodies and have no symptoms. You may still be able to catch the virus and pass it to others without knowing that you have it. The best course of action continues to be to follow CDC guidelines and the recommendations of your healthcare provider.

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Here at HealthNeed Medical Urgent Care, our main goal is to provide an easy and friendly walk-in experience that will have you face to face with one of our many medical specialists within minutes of checking in and without an appointment. Our team of medical experts offers treatments anywhere from bandaging small scrapes and cuts to IVs. Come check out our offices that are open 365 days a year. We provide pediatric as well as senior medical care, with most health insurances accepted.

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Phone: (718) 888–1808

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