LAB TEST
COVID-19 antibody test
This blood test shows if you have antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body in response to harmful substances, such as viruses and bacteria. Antibodies may help protect you from getting infected again (immune). The COVID-19 antibody test is not used to diagnose a current infection with COVID-19. To test if you are currently infected, you will need a SARS-CoV-2 (or COVID-19) virus test .
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed. The blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing. The test can detect one or more types of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 .
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is needed.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
The COVID-19 antibody test is used for the following: To see if you have COVID-19 antibodies, which indicates you had a past infection or vaccination. To help diagnose multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a rare complication from COVID-19 To check the level of immunity within a population and estimate vaccine coverage
Normal Results
The test is considered normal when it is negative. If you test negative, you likely have not had COVID-19 in the past. However, there are other reasons that may explain a negative test result. If you have recently been infected with COVID-19, antibodies may not yet be present, so you can still test negative. Some…
What Abnormal Results Mean
The test is considered abnormal when it is positive. This means you have antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19. A positive test suggests: You may have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. You may have been infected with another virus from the same family of viruses (coronavirus). This…
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Overview of testing for SARS-CoV-2. www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/overview-testing-sars-cov-2.html . Updated August 29, 2024. Accessed September 17, 2024. Del Rio C, Gandhi M, Cohen MS. COVID-19: epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, community…
This is a summary. Read the full article at www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org (reviewed 22/02/2023).
This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.