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Ask the Lab Scientist – Am I still contagious if I have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2

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Question

Hi, i did COVID-19 immunoglobulin test today and both IgM and IgG antibodies were present. Am I still has a COVID -19?( i’m on self isolation for 3 weeks already). Am I still contagious?

Answer

Thanks for your great question for our lab scientist. Here is the answer from Dr. Leclair

At this moment, there is not enough information about the antibody test to say anything other than you became infected with the Coronavirus somewhere between 3 and 4 weeks ago. It is not known if the presence of the antibody mean that you have completely been cleared of the virus. Recent reports from China seem to indicate that some people who were infected still had (or perhaps had re-acquired) the virus.  I think  it is best to ask your physician to determine what and when you do.

I would add that while in most infections the presence of the antibody implies the disease is gone and you are not contagious, it’s very early in the game with SARS-CoV-2. For more detailed information on this important question, see this technical article from MIT.

CLL Society - COVID-19
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