“Antibody test?”
I feel I may have had a very mild case of COVID before tests were available. I have been directly and indirectly exposed in both FL & NC. I have remained inside each time for 2 weeks. Now everyone is pushing the vaccines. However, I would like to have an antibody test before getting the vaccine to determine if I even need one. My immune system is strong and I don't take any prescription meds. I have never had the flu shot or the flu. I feel my exposure to COVD may have built up natural antibodies that may be better than what a vaccine could provide. From research, all I can determine is that no one really knows, and "just do it" is the answer. I am not comfortable with this. Please advise.
Female | 74 years old
Medications: None
Conditions: None
6 Answers
Even if the antibody test shows that you had previous Covid, you should still get the vaccine; Louis Train,MD
Stephanie Hartzell-Brown
Registered Nurse, Retired
I am 70 & have at least 2 & possibly more AI diseases. I am on several meds & have a poor immune system. I quarantined myself when Covid hit. My husband & I travelled to 3 European countries just prior to Covid. Both of us got very ill with a virus we think was a SARS type virus when we returned. Regardless of that, we both received vaccines when they became available because we didn’t know our immunity status. We are both retired & my husband does most of our shopping now, so we felt it imperative to get vaccinated to protect me. I think it’s safer to get vaccinated despite having Covid.
Thank you for your question. Immunity from exposure only without actual infection is not well documented and the antibodies from an infection are not known to last more than 6 months . That is why antibody testing may not of great use since the immunity from the infection doesn't last long term. It is great that you are engaged in your own health and wellness.
Your age alone puts you at high risk for complications related to COVID-19 infection. Even if you test positive for antibodies, that isn't enough assurance to think that your antibodies will still be present months from now. For that reason alone, I tell my patients who have had proven infections that they need to still get the vaccine.
Having Covid infection gives you immunity for at least 3 months and possibly as long as 6 months. The CDC expressly advises against using the antibody test to know whether you should get the vaccine. Their advice and my advice is to get the vaccine between 3 and 6 months after infection. This is especially true with the much worse Delta variant going unchecked right now.
The coronavirus class has been around us for a very long time and we understand that no antibodies to any coronavirus last for more than 9 months. Prior to the pandemic, infections caused by coronavirus were mild. This is the first coronavirus that we know of that has deadly potential. Even if you had COVID19 in the recent past, the antibodies will not reliably protect for more than 90 days after recovery from the natural infection. The natural infection is riskier because of rogue proteins that can develop bringing the potential for clotting, inflammation of the brain and nervous system. This is not likely to happen with vaccination. Antibodies generated from vaccination appear to reach high enough levels that protection from an acute infection appears to last 6 to 9 months. There are risks with every choice in life. You should choose the route you are most comfortable with regarding your care and be comfortable with the consequences of that choice.
