Anyone had the antibody test?

[elliejjtiny]

Just wondering. I've been chosen at random to have a covid antibody test so the nhs can get a rough idea of how many people have antibodies. My test probably won't make any difference but I feel like I'm doing a very tiny bit to help.

Had it through work a few weeks ago (NHS). I was negative, as I expected. Two colleagues were also negative, but had been hospitalised with COVID about two months before the antibody test.. Not sure how valuable the test is.

@cptartapp

I tested positive through work (NHS primary care) in June. God knows when I had it, although initially working without ppe for several weeks and seeing patients face to face throughout all this might have something to do with it.

Are you me?

NHS study - negative

Yes. Sure I had it in Feb, but no tests. Antibody in September but result was negative.

I have also had a letter this morning asking me to take part in the Imperial College / NHS / DHSC survey.

I've signed up, and I'll be curious to see the results if I get picked. I hope I do, since I wouldn't pay for an antibody test privately!

Another one who received a letter this morning, will register for the test but fully expect it to be negative as haven't been ill since end of January.

Was ill in March with fever and breathlessness. Antibody test done through work (NHS) was negative around June/July.

I’ve been considering paying for the antibody test as I suspect I’ve had it (March when you couldn’t get a test) but reading this thread the tests seems very hit and miss and not very reliable?!

@rookiemere

I have been told from a medical professional that they are still learning about this virus .some people have antibodies that stay strong.some loose theirs after weeks.

So you may have had the virus .

I've just done the Imperial research one, positive for both types of antibodies. I was ill back in March as were my whole household and various work colleagues but none of us were tested.

I work in a school. I'm not trusting the result too much but now curious about having both short and long term antibodies. Does that mean I've been exposed again at work (or through my own children) I wonder? Mine and my my children's schools have had quite a few positive cases.

Yeah, I did it, again as part of a study - think it was the imperial college one. Tested negative, as I expected.

Is there anyway to join these studies? I so want an antibodyest! But don't want to pay lots for it when it might not be accurate

I did it in July nhs study, randomly invited. Came back negative.

I did mine yesterday, part of the Imperial College study - negative.

My test came yesterday and it was negative as expected. Had a bit of a deja by moment, it's been 7 years since I last dipped a stick in my body fluids and waited to see if lines appeared.

@pineappleupsidedowncake I have no idea how to join a study, I got a random invite in the post.

I sent for one from a company called Testing for All, tests for both types of antibodies and cost £39. I haven’t done it yet, but it’s one where you have to collect blood in a tube and send it off.

My son had one last week and tested positive. He had a bad virus in February after coming back from Australia, but not classic symptoms. Otherwise he’s had it since without symptoms.

I thought the home test ones weren't accurate (cant remember if its false positives or negatives!) Maybe that's changed? In a clinic near me its just over £100 which we dont currently have.

I think I had it in march and i know antibodies can wear off too.

I had covid badly in March (got pneumonia, still having a lot of breathing problems). My teenage DS had no symptoms at any point. GP sent us for antibody tests at local hospital mid-Sept - both positive. So my antibodies lasted at least 6 months.

I had it as NHS staff and was positive in June following symptoms and positive swab in April.
DC have been part of study having antibody tests every 8 weeks all of which have been negative (which was a surprise as thought they had both had symptoms when I had it over Easter)

I had it due to my job. I was really poorly in March and was convinced it was covid. (Before we had access to testing.) My 4 children subsequently had signs and symptoms, continuous and new cough and no sense of taste or smell. Result came back this evening as negative, so who knows?!

I did the home test this week as part of the NHS study. I and all the other staff in my school who were tested had a negative result. I have friends in other schools who have tested positive though.

I've just done the home test, it was negative.

Odd, because I've had 2 +ve antibody tests and tested +ve for Covid-19 in March.

Whilst I wasn't hospitalised I felt really rather unwell for nearly 2 weeks, in fact it pretty much floored me. In a little under 50 years I have never felt so unwell.

I'm not convinced of the accuracy of this home test.

There was a lot of emphasis in the booklet about how it might not be accurate.