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Original poster

Positive for antibodies

33 replies

Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:12

I had covid a few weeks ago and had a blood test for the antibodies. The antibodies show I’ve had covid within the past six months as I’ve got antibodies.

I’m not vaccinated, I’m not anti vax I just went a few times and they were fully booked. Yes it’s a ‘flimsy’ excuse but I also don’t have any friends/isolated and spend spare time at home. People are desperate to get it, so I was going to get it done when I was taking annual leave (kept on getting delayed).

I’ve been taking lateral flow tests since I’ve been back in the office - maybe four months.

Anyone else in the same situation?

OP posts:
whatswithtodaytoday · 03/09/2021 15:13

I'm not sure what your question is... are you asking if you need to be vaccinated?

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:15

@whatswithtodaytoday

I'm not sure what your question is... are you asking if you need to be vaccinated?
Yes I missed out a question!

Has anyone else tested positive for antibodies despite not being ill?

I just don’t understand why I’ve got antibodies and then got ill. Just confused about everything.

OP posts:
Coogee · 03/09/2021 15:19

I just don’t understand why I’ve got antibodies and then got ill.

I don’t understand either. The way you’ve worded it, you got covid then had an antibody test.

If that is the case, why are you surprised to have antibodies?

neveradullmoment99 · 03/09/2021 15:22

You should get vaccinated. You will have great immunity having had the infection and then being vaccinated.

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:23

@Coogee

I just don’t understand why I’ve got antibodies and then got ill.

I don’t understand either. The way you’ve worded it, you got covid then had an antibody test.

If that is the case, why are you surprised to have antibodies?

Sorry I wasn’t clear.

Recently they are sending out blood tests for antibodies when taking PCR tests. So I sent my blood test back and the sms came today stating I’ve had preexisting antibodies.

Positive for antibodies
OP posts:
Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:24

@neveradullmoment99

You should get vaccinated. You will have great immunity having had the infection and then being vaccinated.
Not my question…. I maybe will get vaccinated but I’m certainly in no rush now.

I was wondering if anyone has had antibodies without getting ill.

OP posts:
midgemagneto · 03/09/2021 15:26

But you said you had covid a few weeks ago????

Yes lots of people have very few symptoms, that's half the problem

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:27

@midgemagneto

But you said you had covid a few weeks ago????

Yes lots of people have very few symptoms, that's half the problem

Yes and the sms said that the antibodies are unlikely to be from my recent infection.
OP posts:
illuyankas · 03/09/2021 15:34

Some people are asymptomatic, that's the whole point of testing with LFT regularly when you are not ill. And LFT is less accurate than PCR, so it sounds like you had false negative on your lft, when you had covid without any symptoms.

MoiraNotRuby · 03/09/2021 15:37

So you had covid and didn't know, and only found out when you had covid for a second time and they did an antibody test?

That must feel quite strange. I have an antibody test to do and keep forgetting to get round to it. Thanks for reminding me!

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:47

@MoiraNotRuby

So you had covid and didn't know, and only found out when you had covid for a second time and they did an antibody test?

That must feel quite strange. I have an antibody test to do and keep forgetting to get round to it. Thanks for reminding me!

Yes I can’t think of anytime when I’ve been ill.

A few weeks ago when I got covid I knew I was ill (felt like a cold) but apart from one day last I’m not felt ill enough to notice or warrant a PCR test (but I’ve had about 4 this year for various reasons).

I’m such a recluse as well so yes it’s very surprising.!

OP posts:
Sunnyfreezesushi · 03/09/2021 15:48

I think speak to your GP OP. People who have had Covid twice should really be getting the same status as those double vaccinated for eg travel and self isolation purposes. I don’t know what is in the pipeline in that regard so I would ask the GP to record in your notes.

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:50

@Sunnyfreezesushi

I think speak to your GP OP. People who have had Covid twice should really be getting the same status as those double vaccinated for eg travel and self isolation purposes. I don’t know what is in the pipeline in that regard so I would ask the GP to record in your notes.
Yes a neighbour isn’t vaccinated and was able to go to Ireland as the whole family have just had covid.
OP posts:
Imfedupwithallofthis · 03/09/2021 15:53

Let's be clear, without any more drip feeding.

Had you had Covid within 2 weeks of taking the test? You said in your original post 'I had covid a few weeks ago'.

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:54

@Imfedupwithallofthis

Let's be clear, without any more drip feeding.

Had you had Covid within 2 weeks of taking the test? You said in your original post 'I had covid a few weeks ago'.

Yes of course.

And no the antibodies aren’t from having it recently.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 15:57

@neveradullmoment99

You should get vaccinated. You will have great immunity having had the infection and then being vaccinated.
My immunity seems to be ok anyway? Question isn’t about vaccination…. I’m so on the fence about that now as this has literally thrown a spanner in the works
OP posts:
Yellow85 · 03/09/2021 16:04

Sorry I’m confused, how do you know the antibodies aren’t from the recent infection? Was the blood test prior to the positive PCR test?

If so, I know someone who had a positive antibody test prior to a positive PCR test. It was because pcrs can still show positive for up to 90 days after infection.

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 16:07

@Yellow85

Sorry I’m confused, how do you know the antibodies aren’t from the recent infection? Was the blood test prior to the positive PCR test?

If so, I know someone who had a positive antibody test prior to a positive PCR test. It was because pcrs can still show positive for up to 90 days after infection.

Because it says so on the sms.

I’ve taken a few PCR tests in the immediate weeks before the positive LFTs and my LFTs have always been negative.

OP posts:
orishan · 03/09/2021 16:08

Guessing you had it earlier, we're asymptotic. Have got it again but clearly reacted differently to a meeting strain.

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 16:10

@orishan

Guessing you had it earlier, we're asymptotic. Have got it again but clearly reacted differently to a meeting strain.
I wonder if they can tell the difference between a cold and covid.

Because I’ve got a runny nose and 118 have said I don’t need to continue to isolate….

OP posts:
Yellow85 · 03/09/2021 16:11

I only ask as my sms didn’t say that. Perhaps the wording in the message has changed, but mines simply said it is likely I have had covid in the last six months. Nothing about ruling out a very recent infection.

Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 16:18

@Yellow85

I only ask as my sms didn’t say that. Perhaps the wording in the message has changed, but mines simply said it is likely I have had covid in the last six months. Nothing about ruling out a very recent infection.
If you see the screen shot that’s what they have written.

I think recent covid infections the body doesn’t produce enough antibodies for it to get to a certain level but after a month they should be at X level. As my levels are already at X level I must have already been exposed.

I’m guessing.

I’ve called 119 and they were useless as usual.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kitchendrama1 · 03/09/2021 16:20

@orishan

Guessing you had it earlier, we're asymptotic. Have got it again but clearly reacted differently to a meeting strain.
That’s what I don’t understand about different strains. How can a vaccine cover all strains, yet people are still getting ill when vaccinated and their symtoms are on par with the unvaccinated.
OP posts:
1dayatatime · 03/09/2021 16:24

I seems that antibody levels drop over time for both natural resistance from having had Covid or having the jab.

So you would be left with the choice of getting booster jabs each year or getting reinfected with Covid again. So a bit like the flu jab really.

amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/22/uk-scientists-back-covid-boosters-as-study-finds-post-jab-falls-in-antibodies

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/09/2021 16:40

I'm really confused as to what you're asking BUT get vaccinated, I know people who are getting it for the second time. No one knows at this point how long the antibodies last yet.

The best scenario apparently is to have antibodies from infection plus vaccine.

Lots of people are completely A symptomatic that's not news surely?

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