Testing for COVID-19: What todo After the Antibody Test

Today, the world is battling COVID-19 and have done everything within their means to ensure citizens are catered for and the spread of the virus stops. Testing has been going on, mostly to evaluate the spreading and the rate of infections among the people. Antibody testing has emerged with the aim of testing if an individual had a past infection. However, there is the urge to avoid using these examinations in diagnosing the current situation. This is because the tests do not show the presence of the virus if the infection is less than 2 weeks. The rapid COVID-19 testing has shown to be effective in determining various factors like the presence of antibodies that cure coronavirus. so, whether you test negative or positive for COVID-19, it is crucial to protect yourself and those close to you. With that said, check out what has been going on in the antibody tests and what means if you test positive or negative for the antibody tests.

Positive Test

If your physician says your test outcome is positive, do not panic. It means that you may have antibodies from the viral infection. However, it doesn’t certainly mean that the antibodies are from the COVID-19 virus. It could be from a virus from the same family as COVID-19. If you have the antibodies, there is a very high chance that they will protect you from re-infection. However, there is no evidence on how much the antibodies can protect you, considering there have been several cases of reinfection. You mightas well have these antibodies even if you did not experience any COVID-19 symptoms.

You can ask your specialist to assist you to understand more about the test and what it means. If you are not sure about the accuracy of the test, the practitioner can conduct another test. After the test. Make sure you observe guidelines set to prevent COVID-19 since you could get infected again. So, wear a mask in public, wear PPE in your job if necessary and observe the social distance.

Negative Test

If your test outcome shows negative antibodies, you may have not contracted the virus since the beginning. It is advisable you consult with your doctor to understand more about this test. On the other hand, you could have gotten infected less than one week ago, considering that it takes 7 to 21 days after infection for the antibodies to form. Some individuals take longer before producing the antibodies.

Whatever it takes, continue protecting yourself and the people you interact with. You at still at risk of getting the virus. In case you experience symptoms after the test, you might require the viral test to assist in identifying the virus in your body.

In Conclusion

Whether you tested positive or even negative, there is still a chance that you can spread the virus. So, it is advisable you shield yourself and the individuals close to you. Antibody tests are used for past infections. However, you need to get examined after 1 or 3 weeks if you suspect you have been into contact with an infected person.