Some people falsely think testing positive on an antibody test proves they can't get infected with the virus again. But an infectious disease expert warns: 'We just don't know if that's the case.' Here's what the results will — and won't — tell you:
Blood collection tubes sit in a rack on the first day of a free COVID-19 antibody testing event at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, in DeLand, Fla., on May 4Paul Hennessy/Echoes WIre/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Blood collection tubes sit in a rack on the first day of a free COVID-19 antibody testing event at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, in DeLand, Fla.
, on May 4Salvador Perez got really sick in April. He's 53 and spent weeks isolated in his room in his family's Chicago apartment, suffering through burning fevers, shivering chills, intense chest pain and other symptoms of COVID-19. "This has been one of the worst experiences of his life," says Perez's daughter, Sheila, who translated from Spanish to English for an interview with NPR."He didn't think he was going to make it." Perez recovered, and now wants to go back to work as a chef at a Chinese restaurant. But his boss told him he needs a test — an antibody test — first. So he found a place to get one, and tested positive. His blood indeed has antibodies to the novel coronavirus — proteins that his immune system produced when it fought off the pathogen. "He feels great that he can get ... back to work, since we haven't really paid our bills," Sheila Perez says."And he feels great that he can start doing what he did before the virus again." But her father is also nervous. His doctor told him the antibodies might give him some protection against catching the virus again, but stressed that's far from guaranteed. Salvador Perez became sick with symptoms of COVID-19 in April, and spent weeks self-isolating at home in Chicago. When he recovered, his employer asked him to take an antibody test before he'd be allowed to return to work.Salvador Perez became sick with symptoms of COVID-19 in April, and spent weeks self-isolating at home in Chicago. When he recovered, his employer asked him to take an antibody test before he'd be allowed to return to work."He's anxious that he doesn't want to get sick. He's kind of scared of going back to work because ... he might go through it again," his daughter says. Salvador Perez is right to be worried. It's still not certain that antibodies measured by such a test would protect him from catching the virus again. And, if the antibodiesprotective, it's unknown how strong that protection might be or how long it might last. There are also questions about the reliability of many antibody tests being sold. Researchers are urgently trying to answer those uncertainties and figure how best to conduct antibody testing. Nevertheless, these days increasing numbers of people are getting the tests — many without recognizing how much is still unknown about what the results mean. Some employers, like Perez's restaurant, are requiring workers to take antibody tests if they want to continue working or return to their jobs. Others, are getting employees tested to see how widely the virus has spread through their workforce and to try to find ways to improve worker safety. And some labor unions, are helping workers get tested in hopes of offering them some sense of security against the virus. In addition, some individuals are buying the tests themselves out of curiosity and to use as a basis for personal decisions, such as whether it's safe to start spending more time with close friends and extended family members who are outside the household. But the idea of using antibody testing in these ways worries many doctors and public health authorities, because there are many common misconceptions.
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What you need to know about the coronavirus right nowHere's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:
Read more »
Woman tests positive for COVID-19 eight times in 50 daysTracy Schofield, from Ontario, Canada, is now scheduled to take her tenth test for coronavirus.
Read more »
Verily unveiled a research study to establish the accuracy of coronavirus antibody tests - Business InsiderBusiness Insider is a fast-growing business site with deep financial, media, tech, and other industry verticals. Launched in 2007, the site is now the largest business news site on the web.
Read more »
Coronavirus testing is 'a mess' in the US, report saysCoronavirus testing in the United States is disorganized and needs coordination at the national level, infectious disease experts say in a new report
Read more »
Why Experts Predict 2021 Is The Year To Buy A Home, Despite CoronavirusThe full effects of the coronavirus pandemic on real estate won't be seen for several months.
Read more »