Covid 19 Antibody Test

How does our service works?

• Place an order and get your blood sample collection pack delivered to your door
• Collect your sample by following the instructions in the pack
• Send your sample to our UK-based, accredited partner laboratory who will perform the test (postage is free)
• Once your results are available (within 2 days), our doctors will review your results
• One of our doctors will contact you, via a secure and confidential message in your patient account, to let you know your results

Covid Antibody Test Kit UK Online

You can buy Covid 19 antibody test kits online from Prescription Doctor's UK registered pharmacy. We work with a partnered UK based laboratory to ensure that the home test kits are safe and reliable.

This Covid antibody testing kit is an approved UK laboratory antibody testing kit that is supplied by Prescription Doctor. It detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which are produced by your body when a coronavirus infection is detected.

Our partnered laboratory run the Roche and Abbott Covid Antibody test, which is a CE marked, automated, interfaced, laboratory test.

Everything you need to conduct the test, including detailed instructions, are enclosed with the testing kit.

Results are made available to your through your online Prescription Doctor account within 24 hours of the lab receiving your sample.

This test can determine if you have already had the virus following 14 days or more of being exposed to the virus or experiencing symptoms.

Symptoms of Covid 19:

• Fever
• Persistent dry cough
• Loss of sense of smell or taste

If you order your Covid 19 test kit before 3pm, Monday to Friday, our UK pharmacy will dispatch your item the same day via a next-day, tracked courier service.

How does the test work?

The test detects antibodies associated with the coronavirus.

When a virus attacks your system, your body's immune system creates proteins called antibodies. These antibodies bind to pathogen, tagging it for other parts of the immune system to act upon or disabling the antigen directly.

Antibodies remain in your blood for a while after the virus has been eradicated from your body - it is recommended to take the antibody test after 14 days of experiencing symptoms. It is unknown how long Covid 19 antibodies remain detectable in the body. By remaining in the body, the presence of antibodies generates immunity against the virus. Should the same virus attempt to infect you again, the antibodies will be ready and waiting to fight it off.

By looking for this specific antibody associated with Covid 19, the test can confirm whether the antibodies are present in your bloodstream, which would indicate a previous infection.

The laboratory uses a method called Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay (CMIA). In short, if antibodies against Covid 19 are present, they will bind to proteins in a test solution and glow. Public Health England (PHE) have evaluated Abbot's SARS-CoV-2 antibody test.

How do I take the test?

The test is a straightforward finger-prick blood test. When you buy a Covid 19 antibody test kit from Prescription Doctor, we will provide you with everything you will need to conduct the test from the comfort of your own home.

Before you begin to take the test for Covid 19, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water. Ensure your hands are dry before proceeding.

1. Take an alcohol wipe and clean your desired little finger. Ensure your finger is dry before proceeding.
2. Take one of the lancets and carefully twist the blue tip and remove it.
3. Hold the lancet against the side of your little finger. Press the lancet down firmly against the side of your finger to activate the lancet. The lancet will pierce your finger and a drop of blood will form.
4. Wipe away the first drop of blood with a clean tissue.
5. Position the blood collection tube in the designated hole of the packing wallet. This will help keep the tube propped up while you provide the sample.
6. Stand up and hold your little finger above the blood collection tube and allow the blood to drop into the collection tube. If you are having trouble collecting blood, you can encourage blood flow by massaging your arm and finger. Avoid squeezing or pinching the area you are taking the sample from as this can cause the blood to congeal, which can make collecting the blood sample more difficult.
7. Fill the test tube to the upper line indicated on the side of the tube.
8. Once you have filled the test tube to top line (or over), apply one of the spot plasters and seal the tube with the yellow cap.
9. Invert the sealed blood collection tube up to 10 times.
10. Apply the name label to the test tube as shown in the instructions and put the sample collection tube into the protective packing wallet.
11. Place the protective wallet (with the sample collection tube inside) and used lancets into the test kit box.
12. Put the test kit and the completed request form into the pre-paid envelope and post it at your earliest convenience.

You can fill out the name label and request form before or after collecting your sample.

Please remember to include the following in the pre-paid envelope:

• Completed request form
• Blood collection tube in the protective wallet
• Used lancets
• Place all the samples in the Test Kit Box.

Once the accredited lab receive your sample, they will test it in their lab and send your results to us.

Here's what you will find enclosed in the test kit

• 2 alcohol wipes
• 2 moist wipes
• 2 plasters
• 3 lancets
• A collection tube
• A name label
• A pre-paid envelope
• A protective packing wallet
• A request form

How will I receive my results?

Results will be made available through your online Prescription Doctor account within 24 hours of the lab receiving your sample.

We will let you know via email when your results are available to view.

What will the results mean?

There are two main outcomes of the test:

Positive

Antibodies associated with Covid 19 are found in your blood. This confirms a previous infection.

Negative

Antibodies associated with Covid 19 were not found in your blood. This denies a previous infection.

Regardless of the result, it is important to maintain social distancing and follow government guidances to mitigate the spread of infection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this antibody test the same as rapid tests?

The Abbott antibody coronavirus test, available through our online service, is not the same as the rapid coronavirus tests. Rapid test kits, which provide a positive or negative results in minutes and which work like pregnancy tests are not approved for use in the UK.

Should I only take a test if I have symptoms of Covid 19?

You can take the Covid 19 antibody test regardless of whether you have symptoms.

It is possible that you have previously caught the virus but not known. In this instance, this test could confirm whether you've previously been infected with the virus. Likewise, a false result will confirm you have not caught the virus.

It's important to remember that, whatever the outcome, you continue to follow the government's guidelines on social distancing and self-isolation if you develop symptoms.

Does a positive result mean I am immune to the virus?

It has not yet been confirmed whether it is possible for a person who was previously infected with coronavirus to catch the virus again.

Due to this, it cannot be confirmed that a previous coronavirus infection results in immunity from the virus.

Will Prescription Doctor's Online Pharmacy report test numbers and results to Public Health England (PHE)?

Our partnered laboratory does report the number of tests carried out as well as the results of these tests to PHE. These statistics aid the government in monitoring the spread of Covid 19 and help them to make informed decisions on appropriate policies to prevent the spread of the infection. No personal data is shared by the laboratory.

How reliable are the Covid 19 antibody test kits?

The test kits have a sensitivity of over 97% and specificity of more than 99%.

Where can I buy a Covid 19 testing kit?

You can order a Covid 19 antibody test kit online from Prescription Doctor. Place your order before 3pm, Monday to Friday, and our UK based pharmacy will dispatch your test kit the same day.

Table of contents

Covid Antibody Test Kit UK Online

How does the test work?

How do I take the test?

Frequently asked questions