• If you test negative for COVID-19 antibodies, you probably did not have a previous infection that has gotten better. However, you could have a current infection. It’s possible you could still get sick if you have been exposed to the virus recently, since antibodies don’t show up for 1 to 3 weeks after infection. This means you could still spread the virus.
• Some people may take even longer to develop antibodies, and some people may not develop antibodies.
• If you have [symptoms](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html) and meet other [guidelines for testing](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html), you would need another type of test called a nucleic acid test, or [viral test](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html). This test uses respiratory samples, such as a swab from inside your nose, to confirm COVID-19. An antibody test cannot tell if you are currently sick with COVID-19.

If you test positive

• A positive test result shows you have antibodies that likely resulted from an infection with SARS-CoV-2, or possibly a related coronavirus.
• It’s unclear if those antibodies can provide protection (immunity) against getting infected again. This means that we do not know at this time if antibodies make you immune to the virus.
• If you have no symptoms, you likely do not have an active infection and no additional follow-up is needed.
• If you have symptoms and meet other guidelines for testing , you would need another type of test called a nucleic acid test, or viral test. This test uses respiratory samples, such as a swab from inside your nose, to confirm COVID-19. An antibody test cannot tell if you are currently sick with COVID-19. A positive nasal swab will be reported to the Health Department.
• It’s possible you might test positive for antibodies and you might not have or have ever had symptoms of COVID-19. This is known as having an asymptomatic infection, or an infection without symptoms.