Antibody test

[SunbathingDragon]

I’m having my antibody test today (NHS keyworker).

I felt terrible in December with fever, fatigue, sore throat, loss of taste and appetite etc but been fine ever since. I didn’t have a cough at all, but not everyone does. Obviously could have had it asymptotically since then and as the test won’t conclusively say when I had it, if I have, it will still leave me questioning whether December’s virus was covid or not.

Anyone had a positive antibody test and questioning if they had the virus a long time ago?

[lulla12345]

I was unwell in February with a cold that I couldn't shake and then lost sense of smell and taste. I wasn't particularly unwell. I tested positive yesterday on a antibody test. The pharmacist was quite surprised as he hadn't had many positive test results.

[NaughtyLittleElf]

I will be very surprised if mine doesn't come back positive, I had all the symptoms in late December/early January as did lots of my colleagues (nhs).

[SunbathingDragon]

@NaughtyLittleElf

I will be very surprised if mine doesn't come back positive, I had all the symptoms in late December/early January as did lots of my colleagues (nhs).

When did you have your test?

[WinterBerry7]

I’ve had one, it was negative but I’ve had zero symptoms so expected it.
All my colleagues who have been convinced they’ve had it have also been negative.

[Everythingmagnolia]

I had symptoms in December, and then again in April. My test was negative.

[HowAboutYes]

I had symptoms in December. Visited drs twice and he didn't know what it was just a virus. I tested negative

[Panicmode1]

Mine was negative - DH went to Japan in Feb and came back fairly unwell, I was unwell for 48 hours - but my test was negative, so it probably wasn't CV that he had!

My brother (NHS) also tested negative last week.

[FabulouslyElegantTits]

There seems to be a disproportionate amount of tests coming back negative doesn't there

[scaevola]

A lot of people with COVID symptoms were tested as contacts of travellers/known cases back in Feb. And the vast majority of tests came back negative - so either the test is significantly more inaccurate for false negatives than claimed, or another virus was doing the rounds.

It is possible that people had human coronavirus OC43 - pretty similar symptoms, can be severe , but doesn't cause the lethal inflammation and ARDS of COVID

[Jedstre]

I had mine this week. I’m NHS and was working with quite a few people (staff) who were positive for covid around April time. I had some minor symptoms for a few days but antibodies are negative.

[pazwaz70]

I'm NHS worker,I got my results back this morning. Tested positive for covid!
I had really bad,what I thought was hay fever symptoms. Loss of smell,taste,bad chest and a banging headache for days.
When the new list of symptoms came out,I was curious to see if it had been covid.
I'm a bit shocked with results to be honest. Obviously what I had was very mild.

[SummerHouse]

@pazwaz70 when did you have symptoms?

[FormerlyFrikadela01]

Me and DP both work in the nhs so had tests a week or so ago. Both negative. Very suprised given we were both incredibly poorly (more poorly than I've ever been in my life) at the end of feb persistent coughs, difficulty breathing, really weak and achey and DP completely lost his sense of smell and taste for weeks.

I dont know a single person who has had a positive test yet.

[fabtasticmrpox]

I had very mild symptoms just before lockdown and had my test last night . I'm beginning to think I probably haven't had it given the responses . I won't find out for a while as results will go to my work email and I'm now off for 12 days .
One of my colleagues was vey poorly in January, before it was here, and has had a positive result .

[Tangledyarn]

Got mine tomorrow. Became unwell at beginning of march, was most unwell I've ever been and still unwell now which chest pain, shortness of breath etc so hoping it comes back positive but aware other people have had similar experiences with negative antibodies.

[raviolidreaming]

I'm part of the vaccine trial and was told that only 10% of applicants for it (all healthcare workers) have tested positive for antibodies - they were apparently expecting around 40%.

[Ernieshere]

Negative test result this week (NHS)

Unwell from March 9th.
Now week 13 of ongoing symptoms, urgent chest X Ray last week.

Almost ended up in hospital in April.
Chronic breathing problems, breathless, wheezy.
Pleurisy & Viral Pneumonia after the suspected Covid.

Now being treated by post covid respiritory Physio team.

[Ernieshere]

NHS colleagues with no symptoms have had a positive test

[SunbathingDragon]

This sounds like positive tests are rare.

Has anyone tested positive at the time and then negative for antibodies?

[yearinyearout]

Someone I know had all the symptoms yet a negative test. She's convinced they hadn't even tested it as she had the blood taken the one afternoon and results came the next morning by text (the blood was supposed to be sent to London for testing so how would they get the result that quickly? )

[AdalindMeisner]

@raviolidreaming

I'm part of the vaccine trial and was told that only 10% of applicants for it (all healthcare workers) have tested positive for antibodies - they were apparently expecting around 40%.

Do you mean they are being tested for antibodies prior to being accepted for the vaccine trial or they are tested after the trial vaccine has been administered?

[Toomanyapplesinthefruitbowl]

In our hospital 25% of those workers who had positive swab results have gone on to have negative antibody tests

[FabulouslyElegantTits]

I'm not feeling the accuracy of these antibody tests!!

[SunbathingDragon]

@FabulouslyElegantTits

I'm not feeling the accuracy of these antibody tests!!

Nor am I!

[justchecking1]

I'm NHS frontline and won't be having one. The BMA are currently investigating claims that members have been refused life insurance, critical illness cover and even mortgages based solely on a positive covid antibody test result so I'm avoiding until there's more clarity around this