Antibody tests can show how common COVID-19 is. Once scientists know who has had the virus, they can find out how sick it makes most people. And they can study what happens if people who've had it are exposed to it again. When paired with other scientific information, this can help researchers understand who might be immune to the virus.
The hope is that people with antibodies to COVID-19 can safely get back to work, and normal life, quicker.
These tests may also help with an experimental treatment for COVID-19 called convalescent plasma. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood.
Researchers are studying how antibodies in plasma donated by people who’ve recovered from COVID-19 might help those who are ill with the virus. One theory is that this plasma may help sick people get better faster. But more research is needed.
Who Should Get One?
If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and have fully recovered, you can probably get your antibodies tested now. You can volunteer to donate plasma through the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project. Or ask your local blood donation center for information.
Some labs are working with state and federal governments to make sure health care workers can get tested soon.
How Can You Get One?
You can't do these tests at home. And they aren’t widely available yet. But you can ask your doctor or local hospital if there’s a way you can get your antibodies checked.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) wants to study blood from 10,000 healthy people who haven’t tested positive for COVID-19. They want to see how many people might have had the virus without knowing it. If you want to take part, email the NIH at [email protected].
The CDC, along with other private and public labs, is working to develop more tests for the public. Right now, the FDA has given emergency authorization to only one antibody test. But the agency gave the OK for more than 70 companies to sell their tests. That means these tests aren’t FDA-approved, but the manufacturers promise to follow certain rules when making them.
