Who should get a COVID-19 antibody test?
This test may be right for you if you:
- Have previously tested positive for COVID-19 infection and want to know if you have detectable antibodies.
- Have never been diagnosed with COVID-19 and want to know if you have been previously exposed to the virus.
If you have been previously diagnosed or suspect you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, you should wait to get an antibody test until it has been at least 10 days after your symptoms started or after testing positive, you have not had a fever or felt feverish for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication, and any symptoms have improved. Current research shows that it may be best to get antibody testing 3 to 4 weeks after symptom onset or known exposure to COVID-19 to lower the chance of receiving a false positive or false negative result. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information about whether or not you should get tested.