For a limited time, the American Red Cross will test all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to their donors. This testing will provide critical insight into whether donors may have possibly been exposed to COVID-19. The Red Cross is committed to helping others in meaningful ways during this pandemic.
What is the Antibody Test?
The COVID-19 antibody test is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether they have developed symptoms.
An antibody test screens for antibodies in your blood, which are formed when fighting an infection, like COVID-19. An antibody test assesses whether your immune system has responded to the infection, not if the virus is currently present.
Please note the Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, including COVID-19.
If you feel unwell for any reason, please postpone your donation. Individuals who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should not present to donate until they are symptom-free for 28 days and feeling well and healthy.
To See Your Results
The results of your antibody test will be available by logging in to your Blood Donor account on the Blood Donor App or Online about 7 – 10 days after your donation. You can also find the results of your mini-physical, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse check, and iron levels.
They are performing COVID-19 antibody testing on all blood, platelets, and plasma donations made on and after June 15.
Note: The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test, and a positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity; a positive antibody test indicates there was potential exposure to the virus.
What Do Your Results Mean
The Red Cross tests every blood donation for a variety of illnesses. Adding this antibody test is the latest part of their longtime commitment to health.
Blood, platelet and plasma donations will be tested, free of charge, for COVID-19 antibodies using samples obtained at the time of donation and sent to a laboratory where samples will undergo routine screening and infectious disease testing.
Donors who have been tested for COVID-19 antibodies will see one of the following results:
POSITIVE: Result indicates that an individual may have had previous exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 and their body has developed specific antibodies to the virus.
NEGATIVE: Result most likely means that the individual has not been exposed to COVID-19 and therefore has not developed antibodies to the virus.
NOT AVAILABLE: Result means that your test result is not yet available or your donation was not tested. If you are antibody positive you may be eligible to take part in the American Red Cross convalescent plasma donation program.
The American Red Cross wants to remind you that whatever your antibody testing results, your single blood donation is critical to saving lives.
For more information and to schedule a time to make a donation, visit: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood
