Antibody Testing
The antibody test uses a blood test and tells us if someone’s immune system has fought the virus already. If so, it’s a sign that they had the virus in the past. To schedule a testing appointment, please call 612-273-7838 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should consider this testing if you need to know whether you have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. This may include people who had symptoms and were unable to get diagnostic testing when they were sick. It may also include people who have not been sick since the COVID-19 outbreak began but are concerned that they have been exposed. Keep in mind that antibodies to viruses don’t develop for at least two weeks after the first exposure or infection. In some people, antibodies don’t develop at all.
The results of a COVID-19 antibody test can help people learn if they have been infected. Experts don’t know yet whether those with antibodies to the COVID-19 virus are immune to future infection from it. Don’t let the results of an antibody test change your behavior. Continue social distancing and other steps meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Only the diagnostic test – not the antibody test – can tell if someone has a COVID-19 infection at the time of the test. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should seek diagnostic testing. (See above for details.) People can consider antibody testing to understand if they may have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19 more than 14 days ago.
Experts don’t know yet if people with antibodies to the COVID-19 virus are immune to future infection from it. Don’t let the results of an antibody test change your behavior. Continue social distancing and other steps meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Antibody testing can give public health experts important information about how COVID-19 spreads through a large group of people. This information can then help M Health Fairview and the Minnesota Department of Health come up with better safety steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Antibody testing is now available at several M Health Fairview sites without the need for a physician’s order. Recipients pay up front, have a quick blood draw taken, and receive results in the mail in five to seven business days.
For $100, an individual can order a test that measures antibody presence and semi-quantitative antibody levels. This test will be positive in individuals who have either received COVID-19 vaccination, or individuals with a history of past or current COVID-19 infection.
To access this on-demand antibody testing, call M Health Fairview Reference Laboratories at 612-273-7838 to schedule an appointment at one of our Express Lab locations:
-
M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center – 5200 Fairview Blvd., Wyoming
-
M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center – Maple Grove – 14500 99th Ave. N., Maple Grove
-
M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center – 911 Northland Dr., Princeton
-
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital – 201 E. Nicollet Blvd., Burnsville
-
M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital – 6401 France Ave. S., Edina
-
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center, West Bank – 2450 Riverside Ave. S., Minneapolis