What Do COVID-19 Antibody Results Mean?

The two main types of COVID-19 tests are diagnostic tests (PCR and antigen) and antibody tests. While diagnostic tests detect an active COVID-19 infection, antibody tests detect past infection with COVID-19.

Different Types of COVID-19 Antibody Tests

There are two main types of tests for COVID-19: diagnostic tests and antibody tests. 

Diagnostic tests can detect whether or not you have an active infection of COVID-19. There are two categories of diagnostic tests, molecular PCR tests, and rapid antigen tests. 

Antibody (serology) tests detect a previous infection with COVID-19 but do not show if you are currently infected. If you had coronavirus, your immune system may have produced antibodies to fight the infection. Antibody tests are completed by collecting a blood sample and results are typically available within 1-3 days. 

When to Get an Antibody Test

In the graphic below, we outline when you should consider getting a PCR, antigen, and antibody test for COVID-19. If you want to see if you were previously infected with COVID-19, you should get an antibody test. 

If you need a test for travel purposes, most states ask for a PCR test; however, a few states will accept an antigen test as well. If you had recent exposure to someone who has COVID-19 or has symptoms, you should get a diagnostic test. An antigen test will give you results faster, but the results of a PCR test are more accurate. If you get a negative antigen test, your provider may want you to confirm these results by getting a PCR test as well.