I have a question I can't find an answer to. They're trying to get us tested for Covid antibodies at work. The thought is that if we have antibodies we're relatively safe. Some people have come back as positive and walk around like they're fine but never had a Covid test in the first place.
The question I have is if you test positive for antibodies does that mean you no longer have the virus and are not contagious or could you still be infected and contagious? For some reason I'm thinking that if you have antibodies you should also have to test negative before being comfortable going around coughing on everyone but I'm not a scientist and haven't recently stayed at a Holiday Inn.
Antibodies indicate the presence of the virus. Typically you can test positive in less than one week after being infected. You could very well be contagious.
Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) said:
Antibodies indicate the presence of the virus. Typically you can test positive in less than one week after being infected. You could very well be contagious.
That would be consistent with my understanding. The presence of antibodies indicates that the virus is or was present at some time, as antibodies are the body's response to the virus.
My understanding agrees with what Hungary Bill wrote, presence of antibodies indicates that the body is or was fighting the virus.
At least according to some articles I've read recently, the current tests aren't all that reliable either. There was an article recently from a writer in New York who apparently had symptoms and ended up using that as a basis for research on the existing/available tests. IIRC out of four tests two were positive, two weren't. Not what I call very confidence inspiring.
This is more or less what I was thinking. There seems to be a belief that once someone has antibodies they're clear to come in and can stop with space, masks etc as though they're no longer contagious.
What you are describing Wally is reckless (and honestly the type of behavior that scares me the most during this thing). There is currently some recent evidence that the antibodies stay for a long period (not tested) and that you likely cannot get re-infected. Neither of which is absolutely confirmed.
As noted, many of the antibody test are less than reliable (those should be going away now). Having the antibodies could mean you still have the virus, although that should fade to zero eventually.
The big question here are the asymptomatic people, which might be as high as 80% of the population. How long do they carry the virus? How contagious are they? My guess would be not very (because they generally won't be coughing and sneezing), but we don't know.
I would also it's a reasonable guess that if you try hard enough (some form of spittle transfer) you could easily transfer it if you still have the virus in you even if you don't show any symptoms.
What you are describing could likely be legally considered assault.
Having antibodies means that the immune system has been exposed to the virus and the immune system responded by making antibodies.
Pathogens are dose-dependent. It takes a certain level of challenge by the virus to cause an infection.
If the person has had a low level exposure, and the virus didn't get established well enough to cause infection, they're still going to have produced antibodies.
The immune system response is also variable. Having antibodies to the disease doesn't automatically mean that your immune system is capable of fighting off a higher level of exposure.
Let's look at HIV for an example. It's been well documented that there are people that had low levels of exposure to the virus, and didn't get sick. They still produced antibodies, but they also were not immune to a later infection, given sufficient challenge with enough virus.
For another example, I have been vaccinated for rabies. I have antibodies to that virus, which has been confirmed by testing. I am not considered immune, and in a situation where I am suspected or known to have been exposed, I would still be given the post-exposure rabies injections.
The presence of antibodies doesn't automatically confer immunity, or even confirm previous infection of a degree sufficient to assume immunity to a subsequent challenge.
aircooled said:
What you are describing Wally is reckless (and honestly the type of behavior that scares me the most during this thing). There is currently some recent evidence that the antibodies stay for a long period (not tested) and that you likely cannot get re-infected. Neither of which is absolutely confirmed.
As noted, many of the antibody test are less than reliable (those should be going away now). Having the antibodies could mean you still have the virus, although that should fade to zero eventually.
The big question here are the asymptomatic people, which might be as high as 80% of the population. How long do they carry the virus? How contagious are they? My guess would be not very (because they generally won't be coughing and sneezing), but we don't know.
I would also it's a reasonable guess that if you try hard enough (some form of spittle transfer) you could easily transfer it if you still have the virus in you even if you don't show any symptoms.
What you are describing could likely be legally considered assault.
I was about to continue posting on this subject, but aircooled has already nailed it.
Other than quoting for emphasis, I really haven't got anything more to add, except for this:
Damn, Wally. I'm worried about you.
In reply to Floating Doc & aircooled
Thank you. I'm as careful as I can be, I have a mask everywhere except in my truck, which I wipe down well, and keep away from people as much as possible, and I'm a bit of a safety nut anyway so I remind everyone to put their masks on around others and keep clean. There seemed to be a misunderstanding when they announced the testing program that a positive test would mean all was well which didn't necessarily sound correct especially given the test issues. None of the careless is being done maliciously but I'd like to correct it early before things start to get away from us. We've started to turn around and are trying to increase service as people are coming back out so we're trying to stop another wave.
