Antibody tests available, not completely reliable
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POLSON – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, some wonder whether they have recovered from the virus, but never got tested, which is where the antibody test comes into play.
The COVID0-19 antibody test analyzes a blood sample to determine whether a person had the virus in the past. The antibody test is different from the viral test. The viral test is administered by nose swab and determines whether a person has the virus at the moment of testing.
The antibody test provides medical professionals valuable information about the way the disease is spreading and progressing through the population. It also eases the minds of those curious about whether they have had the virus.
Dr. Cara Harrop, of pureHealth DPC in Polson, said the results of antibody tests should be taken with a grain of salt. Many people assume that if they have antibodies for the coronavirus, they’re immune to it. That’s not necessarily true. Scientists haven’t determined if people are unable to be re-infected by the disease. Harrop worries that people will use a positive test result as a declaration that they are immune to the virus. “We don’t want people to take it as a badge of courage,” she said.
She worries that if people think they’re immune, they could stop social distancing and that could cause an outbreak if those who have the antibodies can still contract and spread the virus.
Another reason to be careful about the antibody test is that it gives a significant number of false positive results, which means that sometimes the test indicates that a person already had the virus but they didn’t actually have it.
In Lake County, where very few people have had the virus, the percentage of false positive results will be higher than in areas hit harder by the virus. Even if those who have antibodies are immune, the test could be wrong.
In general, Harrop said the test isn’t that useful for people in an area like Lake County that hasn’t been hit hard by the pandemic yet. It can bring clarity to those who suspect they had the virus in the past but weren’t tested to confirm.
No matter what the outcome of the test, people should continue to practice social distancing and wear protective masks to prevent the spread of the virus, Harrop advised.
The antibody test is available to members of pureHealth DPC for a fee. St. Luke Community Healthcare is also offering the test with a referral from a doctor.
