Before we find out what antibody is, it's wise to expound on the antibodies first. What are these? Okay, these are proteins formed by your immune system to fight foreign substances in your body. So, when we talk of foreign substances, we're talking about disease-causing germs known as pathogens-viruses and bacteria. 

When you get an infection, your body generates antibodies targeted to the virus. So, a person can have antibody testing or antibody titer testing, antibody serum testing to check for specific antibodies in the blood. And the serology test helps to detect if your immune system can fight certain diseases. 

Common Diseases Checked With Antibody Testing
COVID-19
Measles 
Hepatitis
Mononucleosis

These tests will show antibodies to a disease but can't diagnose disease. However, they can't show if the antibodies are from past infection, current, or vaccination. 

Why Do You Need Antibody Serum Testing?

To better understand "what is antibody testing," everyone would like to know if they have the COVID-19 virus. Or for those who got vaccinated for COVID-19 would also want to find out if the antibodies to the virus are working.

So, the test helps to check the following:  

To check the status of your vaccination. Proof of past vaccination. To check if a patient has had a recent or past infection. To see how effective the vaccine is. After vaccination, you can have this test, and it can show if your vaccine is providing adequate protection needed. Some organizations may request this. And to check if you have an autoimmune disease.  
What Can You Expect From This Test?

It's a quick process that takes about five minutes, and you shouldn't worry much about the pain. So, I will take a blood sample from your arm. You're likely to feel a little sting as the needle goes in and out. And that's just it. Then the blood collected will be taken to the lab in a test tube for testing.

In Conclusion

Now you've understood "what is antibody testing" and why you need it, especially during this time of COVID-19. Since most people might be asymptomatic, it's ideal to find out if you have this virus or you've had it before in your system. But then again, it's not the only bacteria that you can check. There are many more that we've outlined above. So, if you would like to know your vaccine status, and if it's protecting you as it should, or your body has generated antibodies to the virus or vaccine, you know what to do.