Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! (topical thread)

[Tres Leches]

I'm curious to see if testing for coronavirus antibodies will become a thing. I've heard of some people doing this but I don't think it's commonplace (yet).

I had some routine blood testing done yesterday for cholesterol, blood glucose, etc and my doctor asked if I was interested in a measles, mumps & rubella booster or, alternatively, getting tested for MMR antibodies. I've never heard of this for adults but she said a few years ago the CDC was moving towards recommending this and then Covid happened. I declined the booster but said yes to the antibody test and the test was positive, although it's been 45+ years since I was vaccinated.

I wouldn't be surprised to see commercial coronavirus antibody tests get widely rolled out within the next year as I don't think most people will tolerate getting or have the ability to get Covid-19 booster shots every 6 months. Even if the consensus in the US ultimately is that the vaccines confer long-lasting, possibly lifetime immunity and that most don't need boosters, antibody tests will likely still be marketed to people who are nervous about getting ill.

-Teresa

There's a prominent and fairly large display of Covid-19 antigen self-test kits where you stand in line to pick up meds at our local pharmacy. Sometimes it's stocked and sometimes it's empty, so apparently sales are brisk. I haven't bothered myself, though I probably should. If one of us got sick and wanted to check for that, and they were out of stock, it'd be unfortunate.

I thought antibody titer tests are done with a blood draw? I've never heard of an OTC test for antibodies, which is an indicator for immunity, not necessarily an active infection.

-Teresa