What is antibody testing?
Antibody Testing FAQ
What are the differences between COVID-19 nasal testing and COVID-19 antibody (serologic) testing?
Why is Intermountain offering antibody testing?
The nasal swab test can identify persons who need to be isolated or quarantined and it can be used to help control spread of the disease by keeping infected patients isolated so that they don’t spread the virus to others. The primary objective of antibody testing is to assess whether an individual may have been previously infected with the virus. At this time, antibody results should not be used to guide or change recommendations on social distancing, personal protection (face covers and masking), or work-related policies. How we use the results of the antibody test will likely change and evolve as we learn more about how the antibody result predicts immunity against COVID-19.
When used appropriately, use of the antibody test can help us better understand the extent and spread of COVID-19 in a certain population and identify risk factors for infection. Widespread, community-based antibody testing should only be done in collaboration with trained epidemiologists and researchers. In addition, Intermountain has identified specific criteria in which antibody testing can assist in the clinical management of patients with COVID 19 symptoms, identify asymptomatic transmission after high risk exposures, and identify past COVID 19 infection in patients with a history of a compatible syndrome. See below for specific criteria.
What does a positive antibody test result mean?
- The individual was previously infected with or exposed to COVID-19.
- The individual’s body has produced a measurable antibody response to COVID-19.
- A positive test can also represent a false positive.
- A positive test does not mean the individual is immune to COVID-19.
- A positive test does not mean the individual can’t be reinfected with COVID-19 and spread it to others.
- NOTE: any antibody test result should not be used to guide or change recommendations on social distancing, personal protection (face covers and masking), or work-related policies.
What does a negative antibody test mean?
- There is no evidence the individual had a past COVID-19 infection. If symptoms are still present, or cleared up less than two weeks prior, it may be too early to detect antibodies.
- The negative antibody result can’t be used to rule out current or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) COVID-19 infection.
- It’s unclear if asymptomatically infected individuals develop any detectable antibody.
- If you are immunocompromised, you may not create adequate or detectable antibodies.
- NOTE: any antibody test result should not be used to guide or change recommendations on social distancing, personal protection (face covers and masking), or work-related policies.
Who should get an antibody test?
Limited testing availability requires antibody testing to be prioritized for individuals where a positive result would support care decisions or patient isolation and public health actions:
- Hospitalized patients with signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for at least 8 days AND a negative nasal swab test will be prioritized first for antibody testing.
- Healthcare workers and individuals with high-risk, unprotected exposures to known COVID-19 patients may also qualify for antibody testing. Testing should be performed at least 14 days after exposure to an infected patient. A household contact of a COVID-19-infected patient (confirmed from a positive nasal swab test) would be an example of a high-risk exposure.
- Healthcare workers and individuals who had a respiratory tract infection consistent with COVID-19 after December 1, 2019 that was previously undiagnosed may qualify if a positive antibody testing result would support care decisions.
How can someone get antibody testing?
What is saliva testing?
Intermountain is transitioning to collecting saliva instead of swabbing deep in the nose for testing samples. This new process should be much more comfortable for patients and enable us to collect samples from more patients at one time while maintaining the quality of our testing. This new collection method is available to patients ages 6 and older, though patients may choose the swabbing method if they are unable to produce enough saliva.
NOTE: Please do not take anything by mouth 30 minutes before testing. This includes eating, drinking, brushing your teeth/using mouthwash, mints, smoking, chewing tobacco, etc.