My Positive COVID-19 Antibody Test

Hello!

So today was my third day back at work since being furloughed for three and a half months.

The owner of my practice has invested in a COVID-19 antibody testing machine, with an accuracy of 98%, so we can offer private tests for our patients.

The test is really simple and easy. Your finger is pricked with a lancet, a small amount of blood is taken, mixed with some testing fluids, and popped into a machine. It’s all very similar to those blood glucose tests you get at the gym.

Today I had my antibody test and it was POSITIVE! I’ve got COVID-19 antibodies! It was a complete shock and in the moment I was absolutely stunned. I hadn’t even considered the possibility it might come out positive because I haven’t been noticeably unwell during lockdown or even in a few months before.

The positive result means that I’ve previously come into contact with COVID-19, and my body has had an immune response, producing antibodies to fight off the virus.

Since my test result, I’ve been racking my brains for all the times in the past 6 months I have coughed, and trying to gauge whether I could definitely taste the food I was eating! The test doesn’t tell you when you came into contact with this virus only if you have (which is definitely a little frustrating).

At the moment, it’s still unknown as to whether this positive result equates to any sort of immunity from COVID-19 but it’s reassuring to know that I must have experienced it with no noticeable symptoms.

Those of you who may know me well will likely know that this isn’t my first experience with infections... At the age of thirteen I contracted swine flu during the 2008 epidemic and last year after an amazing holiday in Bali I returned home to discover I had a pretty advanced Typhoid infection and was hospitalised for four days! Clearly I have some kind of affinity for these things!

I haven’t concluded if there’s anything I can really do with this information other than telling everyone I know (with a strange sort of pride) that I must have had COVID, but hopefully, as research continues more light will be shed.

I have however started looking into the possibility of donating my blood plasma as it’s thought the antibodies in my blood my help treat severe COVID-19 positive patients. Fingers crossed!

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to send me a message if you would like to know anything further!

Remember, #healthiswealth !

Lots of love,