I got tested for Coronavirus Antibodies and am sharing my experience and information on what antibody test I took. Before I got the test I hadn’t heard of anyone else I knew being tested for anti-bodies. So I didn’t know what to expect and the descriptions of the test I heard on a podcast were very different from my test experience.
Please note: The posts, audio and video shared by the author here as well as on social media are not intended as medical advice in any way. Always check with your doctor(s) when making decisions that impact your health. If you feel sick or suspect you may be sick seek proper medical treatment.
Okay. Now let’s talk testing.
Coronavirus Antibody Test – My Experience
Why I wanted to get the test:
I’ve been thinking about getting the Covid-19 antibody test for a long time. When the virus first started being described in the news and on social media there were multiple similarities between the Coronavirus symptoms and my symptoms from what I thought was the flu in January.
1. Two healthy people I know got very sick for a very long time this season >>> My brother & a friend got the ‘flu’ VERY BAD this year. Both of these people are young, healthy men and were very sick FOR WEEKS (unheard of for both of them).
2. I got a flu shot & still got sick in January >>> I got a flu shot this year and still got sick after being around my brother. And before this I don’t remember the last time I got sick.
3. I think I was infected via breathing in close proximity to a sick person. >>> I’m 98% sure I got it from my brother. I knew he was sick when I stopped over to visit my nieces so I was very careful about washing my hands. I did NOT touch him at all. So I think I got sick by him through just being in the same space.
4. I had a dry cough >>> I remember having a very dry cough that was so hard to kick. I coughed into a towel for days because I thought the neighbors would think I was choking. Serious.
5. It was easier for me to go than anyone else in my family. >>> My brother is an essential worker so he’s still going to work full time and has a family. Since we suspected that I got sick from him… if I had the antibodies he was likely to have them too. And I have more time during lab hours to take the test – so it was easier for me to go.
All that combined to make me think that I may have actually had the Coronavirus in January.
LabCorp Covid19 Antibody test
- I got the ANTIBODY Test – NOT the test to see if I have Coronavirus right now. The antibody test checks to see if someone had it previously. If you’ve been exposed to the virus (whether you were sick OR never felt sick) – your body most likely would’ve created antibodies in response.
- I got the test through LabCorp. It was recommended by someone very smart and extremely thorough about researching anything science or math related.
- At first the tests were over $150 so I hesitated paying that out of pocket – especially since they’re not 100% accurate.
- But the testing has went down significantly in price and when I heard it was about $10 I decided to do it.
- Check with your doctor for more information.
From LabCorp:
“Serology testing, also known as coronavirus antibody testing, can check for different types of antibodies developed after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. This type of COVID-19 test is for individuals who think they may have previously had COVID-19 and do not currently have symptoms. Note: antibody testing should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude infection.“
This Antibody Test:
- The test I took is for antibodies – NOT the virus. So it’s for people who think they already had it – NOT for anyone with active illness or symptoms.
- It was a complete blood sample – not finger prick.
- It took 3 full days to receive the results – not 15 minutes like the ‘instant’ ones.
- My results are at the end of the video.
- LabCorp Information – What Test is Right for You?
- LabCorp Antibody Testing – Information, Details on the test and more.
- Check with your doctor for more information and to learn what is best for you.
Keep Going with these:
Running Hack to Stay Healthy During Outbreak
Confession… Quarantine Edition
What I Eat in a Day for Runners
Best Mascara for Long Thick Lashes Review
Follow @RunEatRepeat on Instagram for more running and eating updates!
You’ll find Running Tips, Recipes and more on RunEatRepeat.com
Interesting, they are still not 100% accuracy. I’ve known 6 people that have gotten the test and only 1 has come back positive for anti-bodies. My 27 year old son. He was sick the first week of March. He thought it was allergies with no fever and went to work, he is a 4th grader teacher and had conferences. He later got sicker with a fever and chills and then intestinal issues. He went to the doctor twice and was never tested or suggested that it could be Covid. He found out that 2 of his parents had Covid mid March, and then a friend that he was at a large event the end of February had also had it. He decided to get the antibody test, and it was positive. He is fine with no apparent long term effects. Like you he had his flu shot and also had not been sick in years. The strange part about all of it is his partner was sick also but different symptoms but tested negative for antibodies…all that to say I think the test are a crap shoot.
Do you know if the test was FDA approved? I am glad you were negative. I have struggled with getting tested. I work in healthcare with the elderly and obviously concerned.
Nevermind, sorry I see it’s in the video. 🙂
Did you get the results? Sorry, I didn’t see in this post if you got them or when you’d get them?
Yes it’s at the end of the video if you want to jump to the last frame.
Interesting blog as always! There are so many people who are confused about what an antibody test is. I’m curious- are you disappointed it was negative or relieved? I did the test last week for the state of Arizona and it was positive… I travelled in Europe in January but was never sick, at all. I was surprised more than anything.
That is interesting (your test results). I keep hearing about how some people don’t have symptoms but I haven’t heard of anyone really being in a situation like that. Glad you’re doing well!
I was disappointed for a few reasons – if I was positive for the anti-bodies I was going to look into donating plasma. It would ease some of my fears about going out into the world.
And less important but still… it sucks that the flu shot didn’t prevent me from getting sick!