As clinicians on the frontline of the Coronavirus pandemic, we know how critical accurate information is for our patients. Amidst the onslaught of misinformation about personal protection, symptoms, testing options and treatment options, the general public is left to wonder what’s real and what’s hype.

One very active area of confusion surrounds COVID-19 testing. “Am I infected with SARS-CoV-2?” or “Were we infected with SARS-CoV-2?” are two very common questions as well as “Are we still at risk if we were infected?” and “What are my options and risks today?”

Tests for Active Infection

There are many tests you can take to see if you may be actively infected with SARS-CoV-2. Each test uses a technique called RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction) and is offered in Carbon Health clinics. You can also find these tests in commercial testing centers like LabCorp or Quest or through a university healthcare centers.

If You Test Positive

If you test positive with the RT-PCR tests then it means with near certainty, that you are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2.

If You Test Negative

Testing negative with the RT-PCR test is less reliable than testing positive. Again, because none of the tests have been studied in a clinical setting, about 1 in 10 to about 3 in 10 patients who test negative are actually positive carriers of SARS-CoV-2. If you have been told your test is negative, you should still be careful with those you interact with especially if they are at high risk or if you have symptoms that are consistent with Coronavirus infection. Knowing the exact number of false negatives will take time to figure out. This is why comprehensive symptom monitoring has been an important part of the Carbon Health evaluation and not just testing.

Antibody Testing

Carbon Health is now offering antibody testing in our clinics. The antibody test is most appropriate for those who need to know whether a recent illness was due to a coronavirus infection.

What does a positive blood antibody test mean?

A positive serology or blood antibody test means you may have had a SARS-CoV-2, or another type of Coronavirus infection, at least 4 days or more ago.

Does a positive test mean I now have immunity from SARS-CoV-2?

No, it does not mean that you are immune from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Currently, we don’t know the exact answer since the scientific experiments have not been performed. Case reports have been published about patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and become infected again with it later on. Just as importantly, the test can be positive if you have been exposed to any of a number of Coronaviruses and not just SARS-CoV-2.

What does a negative blood antibody test mean?

A negative antibody test is very helpful and believed to be very accurate. A negative test means with near-complete certainty, the patient has not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or other coronavirus strains more than 4 days ago. Therefore these tests suggest a patient is still fully at risk for an infection.

Would getting both a swab test and a blood test be right for me?
In certain situations, including those who have had symptoms within the past 14 days, the PCR test plus a serology test can provide some guidance to determine if the illness was a result of SARS-CoV-2.

At Carbon Health we are fully committed to making sure our patients get the care they need. We will update you about these tests as more information becomes available to the public. By getting ahead of the problem, we can flatten the curve together.

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