Covid Antibody Test - Progressive Diagnostics

What are COVID-19 Antibodies?

Antibodies are proteins produced by our bodies’ immune systems create to help fight off infections from viruses and bacteria. Antibody production is also stimulated by vaccinations to help prevent an infection. Progressive Diagnostics offers antibody test designed to detect the existence of COVID-19 antibodies following an infection or vaccination. You should consider taking a COVID-19 antibody test if you:

  • Had COVID-19 -like symptoms in the past but weren’t tested for COVID-19.
  • Tested positive for COVID-19 or were vaccinated to see if you are producing antibodies.

A COVID-19 antibody test is not used to detect an infection.

It could take several weeks following an infection or vaccination for the antibodies to develop.

Walk-ins are welcome at all our patient service centers.

Healthcare experts recommend staying current with your COVID-19 immunizations and boosters. An antibody test cannot determine if you need a COVID-19 booster. But your antibody test can be a good indicator that your body is producing antibodies in response to vaccines and boosters.

The COVID-19 antibody test is simple requiring a small blood sample and is administered by our caring staff. Samples are sent to our lab for processing, and you receive your test results the same day. It’s that easy.

Your antibody test results are simple to understand:

  • A positive result shows that your body is producing antibodies either from infection or from vaccination.
  • A negative result shows that you have not been infected with the COVID-19 virus.

We encourage you to share your results with your healthcare provider.

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Researchers continue studying how COVID-19 antibodies help our immune systems fight future infections. Currently, experts say it’s unclear how much protection we get from antibodies, how long we benefit from them, or if they lower our risk of reinfection.

If you have any questions about our COVID-19 antibody test, our customer care team is standing by. Simply call 888.503.8803 to reach a Progressive Diagnostics customer care representative.

FAQs

  • An antibody test detects the presence of antibodies created by our immune system following a COVID-19 infection or vaccination. You should consider getting an antibody test if you have been infected with the COVID-19 virus or were exposed to but did not have symptoms.

  • It takes time for antibodies to develop following an infection or vaccination. Antibody tests should be scheduled 2-3 weeks following a vaccination, testing positive, or after symptoms appear.

  • Progressive Diagnostics makes scheduling your antibody test easy. Simply click “Schedule Your Test,” select the COVID-19 Antibody Test, select a location and date. If you want to use your health insurance, a physician’s order may be necessary. Consult your health plan.

    Antibody tests are currently available at select patient service centers.

  • Currently, medical experts are unclear how much protection we get from antibodies, how long we benefit from them, or if they lower our risk of reinfection. Researchers continue studying how COVID-19 antibodies help our immune systems fight future COVID-19 infections.

  • An antibody test will tell you if your body is producing COVID-19 antibodies following your vaccination. A positive antibody test will however not show whether you have a specific amount of immunity or protection from a COVID-19 infection.

  • Healthcare experts recommend staying current with your COVID-19 immunizations and boosters. An antibody test cannot determine if you need a COVID-19 booster. But your antibody test can be a good indicator that your body is producing antibodies in response to vaccines and boosters.

  • Antibody tests are not used to detect COVID-19.

    PCR tests are preferred by healthcare professionals to test for COVID-19 following exposure to someone with COVID-19 or when symptoms begin to appear.

    If you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19, Progressive Diagnostics’ offers COVID-19 PCR tests with same-day results.

  • An antibody test is a blood test. A Progressive Diagnostics team member will draw a small vial of blood in a matter of minutes. Antibody test results are delivered the same day.

    Antibody tests are currently available at Progressive Diagnostics’ Wilton, Shelton and Bridgeport patient service centers.

  • Progressive Diagnostics’ antibody test has a sensitivity (true positive rate) of 100% and a specificity (true negative rate) of 97.4%.

  • Progressive Diagnostics antibody test results are delivered the same day. However, samples collected on Saturday or Sunday are reported on Monday. Holidays may also affect turnaround times.

  • Reading your antibody test results is simple. If your lab report shows “Detected,” you have developed COVID-19 antibodies. If your report shows “Not Detected,” you have not developed COVID-19 antibodies.

    Please contact your healthcare provider if you have health-related questions about COVID-19 or COVID-19 antibodies.

  • Your health plan will cover a COVID-19 test if ordered by a physician. Ask your physician about getting an antibody test. You may also complete a short medical necessity form when you schedule a test on our site and a physician will review your request.

    If you choose not to use your health insurance, you do not need a physician’s order. However, you will be required to pay for the test yourself.

  • An antibody test is $120 if you plan to pay directly (not using insurance).

  • Antibody tests are safe for children. Contact your pediatrician for questions about your child’s health needs.

  • A COVID-19 antibody test is taken 2-3 weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 or following a vaccination. Research shows COVID-19 antibodies can be detected in your blood for several months and in some cases more than a year. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have specific concerns about COVID-19 antibodies.