AFC Urgent Care Paramus is now capable of performing COVID-19 antibody testing, known as SARS-CoV-2 AB. Antibody testing requires a blood test and detects past infection with coronavirus. Results are typically available within 48 hours.
What are the requirements for antibody testing?
Patients interested in antibody testing must be asymptomatic for at least 14 days prior to the test, including a cough, fever or shortness of breath.
What’s the difference between PCR diagnostic testing and antibody testing?
The COVID-19 PCR test is a nasal swab used to diagnose active cases of the COVID-19 virus. Antibody testing is performed through a blood draw and can detect past infection with coronavirus rather than an active case. Antibody testing is only available for asymptomatic patients.
What do the results mean?
It is important to continue following local and federal health and safety guidelines, regardless of what the results of your test say. These include practicing social distancing, wearing protective face coverings in public and washing your hands frequently.
A positive test result indicates that you have been exposed to coronavirus and illicit an immune response. However, research is still in progress to determine whether or not antibodies offer you protection against further infection from the COVID-19 virus. Negative test results indicate that you have not been exposed to coronavirus, but may have been exposed too recently to develop antibodies or immune response.
For more information on antibody testing, please check the CDC website for the latest updates.
