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What You Need to Know About Antibody Tests
They might not be a true indicator of immunity
You’ve probably been hearing a lot about antibodies. These specialized proteins are made by the immune system when the body is infected with a new pathogen. Antibody testing for Covid-19 can give researchers a better picture of how many people have been exposed to the novel coronavirus and how it has spread.
As coronavirus antibody testing gets up and running across the United States, here’s what you should know.
What is an antibody test?
An antibody test is used to determine whether a person’s immune system has encountered a particular pathogen before. Antibodies are created in response to the presence of a specific pathogen and are programmed to recognize and attack them. They help the body fight off an immediate infection, but they also remain in the immune system for a while and provide protection against that pathogen upon future exposures. People who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, are likely to have antibodies against it.
Most coronavirus antibody tests that are becoming available provide a positive or negative result, indicating whether or not you have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. However, some antibody tests, like the one developed at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York, measure the level or titer of antibodies in your body.
An antibody test is also referred to as a serology test. Researchers conduct so-called serological surveys in order to determine the proportion of people positive for a specific antibody.
Should I get an antibody test?
You should not try to get an antibody test if you currently have Covid-19 symptoms. Antibody tests are meant to look for evidence of a past infection. They’re not good at diagnosing a current infection because it takes time for the body to mount an immune response against a pathogen and start producing antibodies against it. This can take one to two weeks. That means if you’re currently sick with Covid-19 and you take an antibody test, you could get a negative result.
If you think you were previously infected with or exposed to the coronavirus, call your…
