If you had symptoms of COVID-19 and have since recovered, or if you think you may have had COVID-19 but did not show symptoms, you may be eligible for antibody testing.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, antibody testing uses a blood sample to look for proteins in your blood that help fight infection. These proteins, or antibodies, are produced by your body during and after an infection.
Getting tested
Testing your blood for antibodies can determine if you have had COVID-19 at some time in the past. It cannot determine if you currently have COVID-19 or if you are immune to or protected from future COVID-19 infection. Regardless of whether you test positive or negative, the results do not confirm whether or not you are able to spread the virus that causes COVID-19. Please continue to protect yourself and others through hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with others and wearing a cloth face mask when in public to prevent illness. At this time, community testing is not available.
Plasma donation
Patients identified as having antibodies to COVID-19 can donate plasma, which is being used as a treatment option for people with current COVID-19 infection.
Currently, the Community Blood Center - Appleton, Red Cross and BioLife Plasma Centers are testing for antibodies. If you would like to find out if you have antibodies in order to donate plasma, visit the following websites for more information:
Reporting
Positive test results are reported to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and to the State of Wisconsin.