Your Test Results and What they Mean

Positive:

Your blood test was positive for antibodies to the virus that caused COVID-19. Your positive test result suggests you have been infected at some point with the virus but, it is important to understand that it takes about 2 weeks after infection for the COVID-19 antibodies to be detected in the blood. This means that people with COVID-19 as well as those who have recovered from COVID-19 can have a positive test result.

It is also important to understand that the antibody test is very accurate but not perfect. It is possible that the test could be positive if you had been infected in the past with viruses that are related to the virus that causes COVID-19. We also do NOT know if having this antibody makes you immune to (prevents) a future infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

If you are or become ill with symptoms suggesting you might have COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of sense of smell and taste, muscle pains and aches, chills and shaking chills, or headache), you should contact your primary care provider or contact an emergency room. You should also continue practicing all social distancing recommendations and wear a mask in public places. If you become ill with COVID-19, you should also self-isolate for 14 days.

Since you tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible to donate blood plasma to be used to treat those who are hospitalized with COVID-19. For more information go to: GO.UNC.EDU/PLASMA. You can also email at: CCP_UNC@med.unc.edu.

Negative:

Your blood test for antibodies to the virus that caused COVID-19 was negative. Your negative test result suggests that you have not been infected with this virus but, it is important to understand that it takes about 2 weeks after infection for the COVID-19 antibodies to be detected in the blood. This means that the test can be negative in people who have very recently been infected.

If you are or become ill with symptoms suggesting you might have COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of sense of smell and taste, muscle pains and aches, chills and shaking chills, or headache), you should contact your primary care provider or contact an emergency room. You should also continue practicing all physical distancing recommendations and wear a mask in public places. If you become ill with COVID-19, you should also self-isolate for 14 days.

Thank you very much for participating in our study!