Edited 5/7/20

A person can have Coronavirus Disease for two weeks before experiencing symptoms. In those two weeks, an infected individual exposes everyone s/he comes in contact with.

Think:

  • Shopping carts
  • Door knobs
  • Food preparation
  • Paper money
  • Packages delivered to your front porch (and everything in them)

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) does not discriminate. It is highly contagious. EVERYONE is at risk.

Ideally we would test everyone, regardless of symptoms.

Now we can.

Do you have to stick a swab up my nose?

If you get the RNA or PCR test offered in hospitals, the specimen is collected with a swab that is inserted deep in your nose or throat. Some have described the experience as “It felt like it hit my brain.” Another said “It went so far in it disturbed my thoughts!”

The other test is an antibody test. A blood test.

We offer the antibody test. No swabs.

How does it work?

We offer two tests from two different labs.

You can learn the details here.

What does the result mean?

The COVID-19 Antibody Test detects the antibodies your body produces if you are infected by the virus. If the antibodies are in your blood it means one of two things.

A Negative test result means that no COVID-19 antibodies were detected. Since it can take a few days for antibodies to appear following infection, you could be infected.

A Positive test result suggests that antibodies to COVID-19 are present in the blood.

IgM Antibodies: Primary infection is characterized by the presence of detectable IgM antibodies 3-7 days after the onset of infection. Infection within the last 3 days may not be detected.

IgG Antibodies: Secondary infection is characterized by the elevation of SARS-COV-2-specific IgG. In many cases, this is accompanied by elevated levels of IgM. IgG antibodies alone (no IgM detected) may indicate a long term immune response. Or it may not. No one knows yet.

Here is what the CDC says about antibody test results.

A positive result to antibodies to the COVID-19 virus indicates that the patient is most probably infected, or was previously infected, and could spread this infection to someone else. Wanna go deep in the weeds? This Journal of Arthoplasty article does a good job explaining how antibodies work.

The science is still developing, and relying on these results alone is not recommended.

The CDC recommends that potentially infected individuals self-quarantine for 14 days.

Questions? Call 847-657-7900