antibody tests

Antibody tests are blood tests that detect specific proteins called antibodies, which your immune system produces in response to an infection or vaccination. A positive result indicates that your body has been exposed to a particular virus or bacteria and has developed an immune response. These tests can help determine if someone has had a past infection, but they do not diagnose active illness. They are useful for understanding immunity levels within populations and for guiding public health decisions. It’s important to note that antibodies take time to develop after infection and may fade over time.