Hello! You've probably heard of this ' Antibody Test ', right? There's been a lot of talk about it, especially during the Covid period. So, what exactly does this test do? How is it important for our bodies? Let's talk about it all in a simple way, in a way that you can understand.
What is an antibody test or serology test?
Simply put, this test looks for antibodies in your blood. Think of these antibodies as little soldiers in our bodies. They are the ones who fight off foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, or allergens . Our immune system is very smart. It makes specific antibodies to match each type of invader. Doctors sometimes call this test a 'serology test.'
Why is this antibody test needed?
Doctors use these antibody tests to find out if you have had a previous infection or have been exposed to a specific virus. A recent example of this is the antibody test for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID -19 . If your COVID-19 antibody test result is positive , it means you have been exposed to the virus and your body has made antibodies to fight it. Also, your immune system continues to make these antibodies even after you get the COVID-19 vaccine .
But here's something to keep in mind. After getting a vaccine, getting an infection, or being exposed to a germ, it can take a few weeks for our bodies to make these antibodies . So, antibody tests are not like diagnostic tests that look for an active/current infection. These tests don't look for the germ directly. Instead, they look at how your body responded to that germ. Got it?
When is this antibody test done?
Your doctor may recommend an antibody test for COVID-19 if you:
- If you had symptoms of COVID-19 and were unable to get tested at that time.
- If you have symptoms but your virus test is negative, your doctor may do an antibody test to confirm whether you have COVID-19 within a week or two after you recover.
- If you have persistent COVID-19 symptoms after infection, or if you have complications (for example, conditions such as 'long COVID' or 'Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome' (MIS-C) ).
In addition to COVID-19, doctors use antibody blood tests to diagnose many other diseases and conditions. They look for antibodies against specific viruses and bacteria, helping to pinpoint the cause of the disease. Here are a few examples:
- Autoimmune disorders : These are diseases in which our body's immune system attacks our own body. Examples include Celiac disease and Lupus .
- Bacterial infections : such as Lyme disease , Pertussis/whooping cough, and Tetanus .
- Cancer : Some types of cancer, such as multiple myeloma .
- Viruses : Things like HIV , Chickenpox (Varicella-zoster virus) , Mononucleosis (caused by the Epstein-Barr virus), and West Nile virus .
In addition, doctors sometimes use antibody tests to check whether you or your child have allergies . These tests can show whether your immune system has made antibodies to various allergens , meaning whether you have had an 'allergic reaction' . However, sometimes, especially antibody tests for food allergies, they can give a 'false-positive result' . This means that even though the test shows that you have antibodies , you may not actually be allergic to that substance.
Who does this antibody blood test?
This test is performed by a medical professional. You can have it done in a doctor's office, at a lab, or at a specialized clinic.
What are these types of antibody tests?
Different serology tests look for different types of antibodies . Our bodies produce five main types of antibodies :
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
- Immunoglobulin D (IgD)
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
- Immunoglobulin G (Immunoglobulin G - IgG)
- Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
To understand how this works, let's take the COVID-19 antibody test as an example again:
COVID-19 antibody tests often look for IgM and IgG antibodies . When you're exposed to a virus like SARS-CoV-2 , your body first makes these IgM antibodies . These antibodies disappear more quickly than the others, so they may not be detectable for long.
IgG and IgA antibodies usually start to develop about a week to ten weeks after you've been exposed to the virus. Because IgG antibodies stay in our bodies for a long time, they can be detected by an antibody test months, or even years, after a COVID-19 infection.
If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, will my antibody test be positive?
Yes, absolutely. COVID-19 vaccines (for example , mRNA vaccines ) teach your body to make antibodies that can fight the virus. So, if you take an antibody test after getting the vaccine, there's a good chance that your result will come back 'positive' . However, your result will depend on a few other things. For example, the time you get the test and the type of antibody test you get. This is because different antibody tests look for different types of antibodies .
How is this antibody test done?
It's very simple. Your healthcare professional will take a blood sample and send it to a lab. The lab will test your blood for antibodies , and how many of each specific type of antibody you have.
How should I prepare for this antibody test?
There's no special preparation required for this. If you can, wear a short-sleeved shirt. That way, it'll be easier to find a vein in your arm to draw blood.
What to expect during the test?
First, the skin on your arm will be cleaned. Then, a needle will be slowly inserted into a vein. You will feel a slight tingling sensation when the needle is inserted , but it will not hurt most of the time. Then, a blood sample will be taken through the needle and collected in a tube. Finally, a bandage will be applied to your arm.
Sometimes, a drop of blood can be taken from the tip of your finger instead of your arm. Your healthcare professional will tell you whether it is best to take blood from your arm or finger.
What to expect after the test?
Your arm may be a little sore for a few hours after the test. A piece of gauze and a plaster will be applied to your arm, which you can remove in a few hours. You may also experience some bruising where the needle was inserted. This is normal.
Are there any risks with this test?
Blood tests are usually safe and normal . Some people may feel a little dizzy or faint afterward. If you have had this happen to you before after a blood test, be sure to tell your healthcare professional beforehand.
How long will it take for me to know the results of the test?
Sometimes you can get results the same day. Or, if your blood sample is sent to another lab, it can take a few days for the results to come back. Ask your healthcare professional when you can expect the results.
What do my antibody test results mean?
Okay, now let's see what these results say.
A 'positive' result
This means that you have antibodies in your blood. For example, in a COVID-19 antibody test , these antibodies may have been produced because you have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Or, it may be because you have previously had COVID-19 and your body has made antibodies against it.
Generally, the more severe the infection , the higher the antibody level . However, sometimes people with very mild symptoms, or even no symptoms at all, can test positive for antibodies .
Antibodies can protect you from getting infected again by the same virus. However, how long that protection lasts depends on several factors, such as the type of virus or bacteria. That's why doctors don't use these antibody tests to see if you have immunity to COVID-19.
A 'Negative' result
This could mean things like:
- You have never had COVID-19 infection, or you have not been exposed to COVID-19.
- You got COVID-19 (or were exposed), but your immune system didn't produce enough antibodies to be detected by a test.
- You had COVID-19, but there wasn't enough time for your antibodies to be detected by a test – meaning you may have gotten tested too late.
When should I call my doctor ?
If you have any questions about your test results, talk to your doctor. Also, if you develop symptoms of COVID-19, or if symptoms persist for several weeks after infection, talk to your doctor right away.
So, the final take-home message:
Okay, so these antibody tests are really important. They help doctors diagnose not only diseases like COVID-19, but also many other allergies, infections, and other conditions. They can also assess how your immune system has responded to a particular pathogen after you've been exposed to it.
The most important thing is to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your antibody test results. Sometimes, you may need to have a second antibody test to confirm the results. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, or if you continue to have symptoms after infection, see a doctor right away.
` Antibody test, Antibody test, Serology, Covid-19, Immunity, Infection, Diagnosis
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