This Coronavirus Test (COVID-19) is a new laboratory antibody blood test used to check if you have had the infection in the past or if you have been exposed to someone who has had the infection. It should be done at least 3 weeks after the first symptoms appeared or after being exposed.

NB: The Coronavirus Test (COVID-19) will not tell you if you currently have the infection. If you suspect that you have symptoms of a coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, then you should call 111 or your own GP.

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Check the UK Goverment website for coronavirus (COVID-19) information.

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Why should you do the test?

The Coronavirus Test (COVID-19) is an IgG antibody test to find out if you have had the infection or been exposed to someone with the infection in the past. It may be useful if you would like to know if you have had the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. It may also be useful for employers or employees who are thinking of returning to work after self-isolation.

If you develop antibodies to an infection, that usually means that these antibodies will give you protection against further infection in the future. However, we do not know for sure if that is the case with the development of coronavirus (COVID-19) antibodies. It would be unusual though if they did not offer some protection. If they do give you protection, then we do not know how long that will last for.

How accurate is the test?

The sensitivity of the Coronavirus Test (COVID-19) is 97.5%. This means that there is a 97.5% chance of detecting if you have had the infection. It also means that infections are not picked up in 2.5% of cases (false negative).

The specificity of the Coronavirus Test (COVID-19) is 100%. This means that the test will only be positive in people who have actually had the infection. There is zero chance that the test will be positive for any other reason (false positive).

How can you do the test?

1. Home Coronavirus Test (COVID-19)

Home test kits are available so that you can take the blood sample in your own home using a finger prick test. You then return the sample to the laboratory for testing. Results are sent back to you by e-mail.

Please note that these home kits do not give you instant results. Your blood sample is processed at the laboratory in the same way as a normal blood sample.

Unfortunately, the MHRA have recently advised that these self-test kits should be withdrawn from the market. They are currently doing studies to see if they can be used with fingerprick blood samples as well as the venous blood samples that they were meant for.

2. Clinic Coronovirus Test (COVID-19): £125

You can book a blood test with me for coronavirus (COVID-19) antibodies at Prime Health by calling 01932 504999.

Results normally take 2 days.

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Interpretation of results

COV-2 IgG         Not detected      (Negative)      No past infection

COV-2 IgG          Detected           (Positive)      Past infection

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