I have antibodies - now what

JamoLew

So we were tested last week and myself and several colleagues were informed that we had a positive test for antibodies.
Great - so now what ?
is this just a big information gathering exercise and is there no real benefit in knowing whether you have antibodies or not.
It is still not proven (as far as I know) that the presence of antibodies:

a) grants any level of immunity short or long term
AND/OR
b) excludes you from carrying the virus at anytime in the future

poppy12345

What does it mean if you test positive?

Within a couple of days of taking the test, you'll be notified of your results. There are three possible results after taking an antibody test: positive, negative or indeterminate (borderline).

Immune or not?

A positive result means that COVID-19 antibodies have been found in your blood, which indicates that you have previously been infected by coronavirus. This does not mean that you are immune to coronavirus.

Scientists still don't know just how much immunity you gain from a COVID-19 infection so even if you test positive, it's possible that you could be infected a second time or carry the virus to infect others. You still need to follow the social distancing and hygiene measures set out by the government, even if you've previously had the virus.

https://patient.info/news-and-features/covid-19-antibody-tests-how-do-they-work-and-who-can-get-tested

JamoLew

Already had that info (and more)
as i asked - is this just a big information gathering exercise and is there no real benefit in knowing whether you have antibodies or not.

sharpe106

No actually benefit to you really as still unknown. But chances are you will be immune from getting it again at least for a little while,how long who knows. Very few cases of people claiming to have had it twice. Also you still might be able to carry it and pass it on to others even if you do not get ill yourself in the meantime. 

jazzyja

Well this is it. They just dont know what level of immunity you have or how long. They have to start somewhere. So gathering antibody results in areas will help them not only track the certain areas immunity but im assuming theyl re test later to see if them antibodies are still present. Also you can donate your blood plasma if you have antibodies. Its definitely not a pointless exercise 

silvercar

I know a couple of doctors with anti bodies, both who consider themselves immune for at least the next few months. They also don't see how you can carry the virus to infect others if you are immune to it yourself.
I suspect there is government pressure on the information given to people with antibodies. If those who have them start behaving in too free a manner, lockdown could easily break down for other people.
Personally, I would be far less stringent about keeping 2m from anyone with antibodies, though wouldn't go indoors with them. So I would be relaxed enough to take a walk with someone with antibodies

Dr_Crypto

The short answer is “nobody knows what it means so you need to carry on as normal.” 

The longer answer is that you are probably immune and you probably had it. There are no credible reports of people getting it twice and researchers have shown that monkeys are immune at least in the short term. Nobody really knows much about this virus so you’re helping scientists and doctors understand it. You can also donate your plasma as part of a trial to help people who are seriously ill. 

Personally if I had antibodies I’d feel I was immune and would be less paranoid in the short term. I’m negative so it looks like I’ll be washing the shopping for a while yet! 

sharpe106

silvercar said:

I know a couple of doctors with anti bodies, both who consider themselves immune for at least the next few months. They also don't see how you can carry the virus to infect others if you are immune to it yourself.

Not sure I would want them as my doctors as people have always been able to pass on a virus to others when they are immune themselves.  Mary Mallon probably being one of the more famous examples. 

Dr_Crypto

She wasn’t immune as such. She was a (relatively) assymptomatic long term carrier of the Salmonella enterica bacterium which lived in her gall bladder for some reason. 

JamoLew

Much as I guessed then -- shame that it doens't actually mean anything in the short term - although it is somewhat reassuring

jackieblack

Dr_Crypto said:

She wasn’t immune as such. She was a (relatively) assymptomatic long term carrier of the Salmonella enterica bacterium which lived in her gall bladder for some reason. 

How is salmonella connected to typhoid?
Genuine question - I’ve never heard of any connection between the two before 🤷🏻‍♀️