COVID-19 Antibody Testing
COVID-19 Antibody Testing
NextCare and its family of brands are dedicated to providing patients the most up-to-date information and treatment options to fight COVID-19. Many agree that testing (diagnostic and antibody) for the general population is an important component in managing the spread of the virus. We are taking the next step in this testing continuum and are now offering COVID-19 Antibody Testing! This new antibody testing is an important tool we can provide to our patients, which will help them to know if they may have had COVID-19 previously, and potentially identify the people they could have possibly put at risk. The complexity of the virus makes antibody testing very important, especially for those who may have had the virus and been asymptomatic.
Our antibody testing process is both easy and safe. After a provider evaluation, the test is completed through the collection of a blood sample. Patients can check-in online in advance to help reduce wait times. As an additional safety measure, we are offering antibody testing at many of our locations with an alternative entrance to provide a safe and sanitary environment. Visit a nearby clinic today for your test.
Locations offering COVID-19 Antibody Testing will have the Antibody Testing icon (Pictured Below) next to them.
How it Works:
- Check-in online or walk-in to a clinic offering Antibody Testing near you.
- Arrive at the clinic where a provider evaluation and simple blood draw are performed.
- Clinic staff will contact you with results in the near future.
COVID-19 Antibody Testing – Additional Information
Antibody testing works differently than the testing we have seen previously. The form of testing we have seen recently focuses on detecting the genetic material of the COVID-19 virus which indicates whether or not someone is currently infected with the virus. With antibody testing, the test may be able to detect antibodies you have naturally created to fight the infection. The detection of antibodies may help determine if the patient was recently infected with the virus or was infected in the past, but since it does take time for these antibodies to develop, it isn’t reliable for diagnosing a possible active infection or making clinical recommendations for care. It’s important to note, just like with much of the process surrounding COVID-19, we are in the early stages of information on antibody testing. With this, there is not currently enough information available to know whether or not a positive antibody test means that a patient definitely had COVID-19 previously because the test may detect antibodies that are related to other coronavirus strains.
FAQs
This test is designed to detect antibodies in a blood sample that could give an indication that a patient had contracted COVID-19 at some point previously and had produced these antibodies to fight it.
Antibody testing does come with a few minor risks, primarily due to possible discomfort or complications during the sample collection process (blood draw). It is also possible to receive a false positive test or a false negative test, given the complexity of the virus and its close relationship to other coronavirus strands.
A positive test result could indicate that COVID-19 IgG antibodies are present in a patient’s blood, which might mean they have contracted the virus at some point and developed a natural antibody response to it. As the test name indicates, SARS-CoV-2 IgG, is focused on detecting IgG antibodies which remain in the blood after an infection has passed and indicate you may have developed antibodies that could protect you from future infection. Our test does not identify possible IgM antibodies, which are usually the initial antibodies produced by the immune system and often indicate more recent or active infection. Upon receiving a positive result, your healthcare provider will be able to work with you and determine the best course of care or treatment based on medical history or any prior symptoms. As mentioned previously, given the complexity of COVID-19 and the close relationship it shares with other strands of coronavirus, there is a chance you can have a false positive result.
A negative test results means that no antibodies were detected in your sample. If you do not have antibodies in your system, it likely indicates that you have not contracted the virus up to that point and it’s best to work with your healthcare provider to determine any next steps that are recommended. Again, it’s important to know that it’s possible to receive a false negative result and this can occur for a variety of reasons. A negative result may occur if you happen to be tested very recently after contracting the virus because your body may not have had time to produce antibodies for the infection, and therefore, they would not show on a possible test.
The FDA has made certain tests available through the Emergency Use Authorization, after having met certain criteria. The EUA for this test is supported by the Secretary of Health and Human Service’s declaration that the current circumstance justifies emergency use to help in the fight against COVID-19.
Sources:
Letter of authorization: https://www.fda.gov/media/137384/download
For Healthcare Providers: https://www.fda.gov/media/137381/download
For Patients: https://www.fda.gov/media/137382/download
Information for Use: https://www.fda.gov/media/137383/download
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