Covid-19 Antibody Test
£39.00ABOUT THIS TEST
This test looks for COVID-19 antibodies in a blood sample. Antibodies are made by the body in response to the virus. A positive antibody result indicates that you have had the COVID-19 virus in the past. A negative test indicates that you have not had the COVID-19 virus. We do not provide a numerical result for this test.
IMPORTANT: This test will not detect antibodies to the COVID-19 vaccine; for this purpose use our COVID-19 Vaccine Immunity Test.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 24 SAMPLE RETURN INCLUDED
These tests are available for people aged over 18 only. Please collect and post your sample to us Monday-Thursday, to avoid delays over the weekend. In a small number of cases, it may not always be possible to provide a result, please see our terms and conditions for details.
What does a positive test result mean?
A positive antibody test means that you have developed antibodies to COVID-19. This indicates that you have had COVID-19 in the past.
What does a negative result mean?
A negative result means that antibodies were not detected. This can indicate that you have not had a COVID-19 infection in the past or that antibodies have decreased to a level that can no longer be detected.
Does a positive antibody test mean I am immune to COVID-19?
A positive test result indicates that you have had an immune response to the virus. Unfortunately, a positive result does not mean that you are immune to the virus. It cannot tell you whether or not you can become ill with COVID-19 again. Nor can it tell you whether or not you can spread the virus to others. You should continue to follow all government guidance and restrictions.
Does this test tell me whether I have COVID-19 now?
No, this test does not tell you if you have a current COVID-19 infection. This test can only tell you if you have had COVID-19 in the past.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 that started less than eight days ago, then a PCR test can tell you if you have COVID-19.
How accurate is the test?
We use the Roche Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test
Studies by the manufacturer have found that this test has a 99.5% sensitivity and a 99.8% specificity.
This means that:
- The test might miss someone who has previously had the virus in 1 out of 200 people (a false negative result).
- The test might incorrectly be positive in 1 in 500 people who have not had COVID-19 (a false positive result).
The test has been separately validated by Public Health England. We have performed our own verification to ensure that the test is fit-for-purpose and works with our home testing kits.
How does the COVID-19 antibody test work?
The test measures a sample of your blood to look for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The body responds to the virus by making antibodies. These antibodies are used by your immune system to help fight infection. Peak antibody levels are typically seen 4-6 weeks after infection. The presence of antibodies after this time are a good indicator that you have had COVID-19.
Can my test be positive because I have had a COVID-19 vaccine?
No, the COVID-19 antibody test measures SARS-CoV-2 N antibodies (nucleocapsid antibodies, including IgG antibodies). These antibodies will not be made in response to any vaccines currently in use. A positive result indicates exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.
To check for both previous COVID-19 infection and vaccine response, you might want to try our combined COVID-19 antibody and immune response test.
Can this test be used as evidence for international travel?
No, the majority of international travel restrictions require you to take a COVID-19 PCR test prior to travel. This is to indicate that you do not have a current COVID-19 infection. A COVID-19 antibody test cannot be used for this purpose.
We do not issue certificates of results for either the COVID-19 Antibody Test or the COVID-19 Vaccine Immunity Test. Results will be available to view via our website.
Some countries may waive quarantine restrictions for passengers with a positive COVID-19 antibody test. These tests must usually be conducted in a laboratory accredited by the country’s government. For this reason, our COVID-19 Antibody Test and Vaccine Immunity Test cannot be used for this purpose.