How Does the Coronavirus Antibody Test Work?

When a doctor wants to know if you had Covid-19 in the past, an antibody test needs to be done. This test is called a serology test, where a blood sample is tested to detect previous COVID-19 infection. It is used to check for the presence of antibodies in the blood. Antibodies are proteins that the body’s immune system forms to develop to guard the body against infections. Doctors prioritize the Arleta covid antibody testing because it helps to understand Covid-19 better in terms of community pervasiveness. 

A positive antibody result that reveals that you have antibodies in your body does not mean that you can’t get Covid-19 again in the future. You are advised to maintain social distance and follow every health protocol set by authorities until scientists make a breakthrough in understanding Covid-19 better. 

What is Antibody Testing for Covid-19?

Your body develops antibodies when you are infected with Covid-19 or any other infection. These proteins help combat foreign bodies that have invaded the body. When you get a flu shot vaccine, for example, the body creates a defense system called antibodies that helps to fight flu in case of future infections. Antibody testing allows doctors to test a sample of a person’s blood to look for the presence of Covid-19 antibodies. Sometimes, this test is known as a serology test and helps build immunity against viruses. Antibody testing is not designed to detect the presence of the Covid-19 virus in the body but rather to detect the presence of antibodies that developed after a previous infection. 

Working of A coronavirus Antibody Testing?

Once a person gets coronavirus from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it will take about 1 to 2 weeks for the body to develop detectable antibodies. The technique used in a coronavirus antibody test allows the doctor to examine the binding of targeted antibodies to specific viral proteins known as antigens. Several platforms are used to conduct Coronavirus Antibody Tests. They include lateral flow assay, chemiluminescent immunoassay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 

During the test, the doctor collects blood samples and uses the assay platform to incubate them with viral antigens. In case antibodies are present in the blood, positive results will show when antibodies bind to the viral antigens. Several viral antigens are used to detect the presence of Covid-19 antibodies. They include:

Nucleocapsid – This is an RNA-binding protein that forms the viral capsid)
Receptor-binding domain – This refers to a component of spike protein for binding coronavirus’ host receptor (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)).
Spike protein – Besides binding the host cell, this specialized surface protein facilitates viral entry. 

Antibodies that are often detected during an antibody test include:

IgM – The body usually develops these antibodies once a Covid-19 infection occurs. 
IgG – These are the most abundant antibodies in the blood. 
IgA – These antibodies protect mucosa and usually develop a few days after infection. It is also possible to measure the level of antibodies in the blood. 

Where is Covid Antibody Testing done, and who should it be?

A person may get tested for Covid-19 antibodies at Arleta Urgent Care Clinic. The purpose of getting antibody testing is to find out whether a person was infected by Covid-19 in the past and developed antibodies. The test is only helpful for researchers and epidemiologists until we discover the relationship between immunity and covid antibody test results. It is, however, essential to consult with our primary care physician if you have any questions related to antibody testing or Covid-19. 

Who Needs to Get an Antibody Test for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Antibody testing is necessary if a child is taken to the hospital with MIS-C. Knowing who has the virus will help them understand how unwell the majority of the infected get. Additionally, it will help them understand what can occur in the event of reinfection. Currently, it is recommended for people who are participating in research studies to get this test. 

It is not advisable for anyone to get an antibody test due to these reasons:

• It is quite hard to tell whether a person has coronavirus once the test is done 
• Doctors haven’t yet found a clear way to interpret the results

If the results of an antibody test turn out to be positive, it means that the person has developed antibodies against SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. However, positive antibody testing does not mean you won’t get infected with Covid-19 again in the future. This means that you should not lay your guard and stop following Covid-19 prevention guidelines set by health departments. You need to continue washing your hands, wearing your mask, and getting fully vaccinated against Covid-19. 

The test may also turn out to be negative. This means that the person does not have antibodies in the blood. A negative result does not mean that person is not immune to Covid-19. Even though there are no antibodies in the blood, the body’s defense system can fight the virus. Undergoing covid 19 antibody test does not tell whether a person is immune to the virus. There isn’t any need to perform a test that will not help. It is therefore important to ask our general practitioner to know whether you or your children require this test or not. 

How Much Does the Covid Antibody Test Cost?

Getting Covid-19 antibody testing does not have any upfront cost. The test can either be done by a general practitioner or a licensed doctor. Arleta Urgent Care will offer the best testing service if you are looking for a convenient option to get antibody testing. An Arleta Urgent Care center allows you to ask all the questions you may have about the test. You need to check with our doctor for extensive information about the test and its cost. 

Conclusion

An Arleta Covid Antibody Testing is essentially done to know whether a person was infected by Covid-19 in the past and whether he or she developed antibodies against the virus. When a person is vaccinated against Covid-19, antibodies are formed to fight the weak virus and stay on to guard against it in the future. Testing for Covid-19 antibodies reveals whether you got infected by the SARS-COV-2 virus and whether the body fought off the virus by developing antibodies. That is why it is good to get an antibody test. 

If you have any questions about our antibody testing, please do not hesitate to contact us at 818-746-2626 or Schedule an Appointment.