COVID Antibody Test

Antibodies are proteins that are produced by your immune system in response to fight the foreign invaders like bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.

A positive test result shows that you may have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 sometime back. Now your body has developed antibodies against the infection with the virus. Having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 may provide protection from getting infected with the virus again. But currently, there is no evidence about how much protection the antibodies provide or how long this protection may last.

A negative test result suggests that you may not have been exposed to COVID-19 so far. You could have a current infection because it typically takes 1–3 weeks after infection for your body to make antibodies. In this case, it will be advisable to take the RT-PCR or Antigen test.

To get antibody testing, you have to be fully recovered from COVID-19. But, if you never had symptoms you could get antibody testing. Most doctors only suggest a test to diagnose COVID-19 if you have symptoms or you've had exposure to someone with COVID-19 in this pandemic. Ideally any individual can go for the test.

Antibody test ascertains whether you have been exposed to the virus that caused COVID in the past and now has antibodies against the virus. Coronavirus test checks if you currently have the disease.

Children above 12 years of age can take this test. For children of below the age of 12 years, take a pediatrician’s advice before booking the test.

It is a blood test in which a healthcare professional takes a blood sample from your body to test if you have developed antibodies against the virus.