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<span>Antibody Serology Tests</span>
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<h1>Antibody Serology Tests</h1>
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<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What are antibody serology tests?</h2>
<p>Antibody serology tests look for specific antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are proteins your <a data-tid="295" href="https://medlineplus.gov/immunesystemanddisorders.html">immune system</a> makes to protect you from disease by fighting foreign substances. These substances are often pathogens (disease-causing germs), such as <a data-tid="454" href="https://medlineplus.gov/viralinfections.html">viruses</a> and <a data-tid="158" href="https://medlineplus.gov/bacterialinfections.html">bacteria</a>. </p>
<p>An antibody serology test can check if your immune system should be able to protect you against certain diseases better. You may have specific antibodies in your blood if you: </p>
<ul>
<li>Have been infected with, or exposed to, that pathogen before. Your body would've made antibodies to fight the pathogen. These antibodies may also protect you from getting another infection or from having severe symptoms.</li>
<li>Have had a <a data-tid="294" href="https://medlineplus.gov/vaccines.html">vaccine</a> against the pathogen. This may protect you by triggering your immune system to make antibodies against the specific pathogen.</li>
</ul>
<p>It may take a few weeks for your body to make antibodies after you have had an infection, been exposed to a pathogen, or had a vaccine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Other names: antibody titer test, antibody test, antibody serum test <a data-tid="294" href="https://medlineplus.gov/vaccines.html">Vaccines</a></p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What are they used for?</h2>
<p>Antibody serology tests are used to look for antibodies to specific diseases and may be used to check if you need another vaccination (booster shot). These diseases may include:</p>
<ul>
<li><a data-pid="852" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/measles-and-mumps-tests/">Measles and mumps</a></li>
<li><a data-tid="182" href="https://medlineplus.gov/chickenpox.html">Chickenpox</a> and <a data-tid="90" href="https://medlineplus.gov/shingles.html">shingles</a> (which are both caused by the varicella-zoster virus)</li>
<li><a data-pid="682" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hepatitis-panel/">Hepatitis</a></li>
<li><a data-pid="10306" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mononucleosis-mono-tests/">Mononucleosis</a></li>
</ul>
<p>These tests may also be used to check for certain antibodies that may be a sign of an <a data-tid="154" href="https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html">autoimmune disease</a>. Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to attack your own cells, tissues, and/or organs by mistake.</p>
<p>Antibody serology tests are <strong>not</strong> used to diagnose diseases. They look at your body’s response to a pathogen by checking if you have antibodies to a disease. But they can’t show if the antibodies are from a current or past infection or a vaccination.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Why do I need an antibody serology test?</h2>
<p>You may need this test:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>To find out if you've had a recent or past infection.</strong></li>
<li><strong>To check your vaccination status.</strong> If your medical records are incomplete, you may need this test to find out if you've been vaccinated.</li>
<li><strong>To find out if a vaccine is effective.</strong> If you've already been vaccinated against a disease, the test can show if your vaccine is providing enough protection.</li>
<li><strong>As a requirement for your school or job.</strong> Some organizations may require proof of past infection or vaccination.</li>
<li><strong>To find out if you have an autoimmune disease, such as <a data-tid="82" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lupus.html">lupus</a>.</strong></li>
</ul></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What happens during an antibody serology test?</h2>
<p>A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Will I need to do anything to prepare for this test?</h2>
<p>You don't need any special preparations for an antibody serology test.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Are there any risks to this test?</h2>
<p>There is very little risk to having a blood test. There may be slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What do the results mean?</h2>
<p>Your results will depend on which antibodies were measured. They may be given as titers (levels of antibodies), positive (you have antibodies), or negative (you do not have antibodies).</p>
<p>Common results include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Antibodies to a specific pathogen were found.</strong> This may mean you had an infection before. It could also mean you've been vaccinated against a certain disease.</li>
<li><strong>Low levels of certain antibodies were found.</strong> This may mean an earlier vaccination does not provide you with enough protection against a disease. It also means you may need a booster shot.</li>
<li><strong>Autoantibodies were found.</strong> Autoantibodies are a type of antibody that attacks healthy cells by mistake. This may mean you have an autoimmune disease.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.</p>
<p>Learn more about <a data-pid="806" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">laboratory tests, references ranges, and understanding results</a>.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Is there anything else I need to know about an antibody serology test?</h2>
<p>Antibody serology tests can show that you have an immune response to a pathogen. But they cannot show if you have full protection from a disease or how long the protection lasts.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-refs mp-content"><h2>References</h2>
<ol>
<li>Aziz M, Iheanacho F, Hashmi MF. Physiology, Antibody. [Updated 2023 May 1; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 2 screens]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546670/" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546670/</a></li>
<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2; [reviewed 2022 Dec 16; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/overview-testing-sars-cov-2.html" target="bibliowin">https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/overview-testing-sars-cov-2.html</a></li>
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics &amp; Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2024.Antibody Test; [reviewed 2022 May 17; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/23019-antibody-test" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/23019-antibody-test</a></li>
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics &amp; Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2024. Blood Tests; [reviewed 2022 Dec 06; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 16 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24508-blood-tests" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24508-blood-tests</a></li>
<li>Familydoctor.org [Internet]. Leawood (KS): American Academy of Family Physicians; c2024. COVID-19 Testing; [updated 2024 Jan 25; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://familydoctor.org/covid-19-testing" target="bibliowin">https://familydoctor.org/covid-19-testing</a></li>
<li>FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Antibody (Serology) Testing for COVID-19: Information for Patients and Consumers; [current 2024 Apr 25; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/antibody-serology-testing-covid-19-information-patients-and-consumers" target="bibliowin">https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/antibody-serology-testing-covid-19-information-patients-and-consumers</a></li>
<li>Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998-2024. How do COVID-19 antibody tests differ from diagnostic tests?; [cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/covid-antibody-tests/faq-20484429" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/covid-antibody-tests/faq-20484429</a></li>
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: immunity; [cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/immunity" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/immunity</a></li>
<li>&gt;Nemours KidsHealth [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995-2024. Getting a Blood Test; [reviewed 2021 Sep; cited 2024 Jun 07]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-tests.html" target="bibliowin">https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-tests.html</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA).: OneCare Media; c2024. Antibody Titer Test; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/antibody-titer-test/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/antibody-titer-test/</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA).: OneCare Media; c2024. Autoantibodies Test; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/autoantibodies/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/autoantibodies/</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA).: OneCare Media; c2024. COVID-19 Antibody Test; [modified 2022 Aug 19; cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/covid-19-antibody-test/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/covid-19-antibody-test/</a></li>
<li>The Free Dictionary [Internet]. Farlex, Inc. c2003-2024. Medical Dictionary: pathogen; [cited 2024 Jun 7]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/pathogen" target="bibliowin">https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/pathogen</a></li>
</ol></div>
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