A positive Abbott COVID test result raises questions about what to do next. Understanding the implications and immediate actions is important for your health and the well-being of others.
Interpreting Your Positive Abbott Test
A positive result from an Abbott COVID-19 test indicates the likely presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in your sample. Abbott offers various tests, with the rapid antigen tests, such as the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card, being widely accessible for public use. These antigen tests work by detecting specific proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19 in an anterior nasal swab sample.
A positive antigen test suggests an active infection. While antigen tests are generally very specific, meaning a positive result is highly accurate, they are not as sensitive as molecular tests, also known as PCR tests. Molecular tests, which detect the virus’s genetic material, can identify infection with lower viral loads than antigen tests.
Abbott also produces molecular tests, like those used on their m2000 RealTime and Alinity m systems, which are typically found in laboratory settings. If your positive result came from a molecular test, it confirms the presence of viral genetic material, indicating an active infection. Regardless of the specific Abbott test used, a positive result means it is very likely you have COVID-19 and may be contagious.
Immediate Actions After a Positive Result
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance for individuals with respiratory virus symptoms, including COVID-19. You should stay home and away from others, including those you live with who are not sick.
You can resume normal activities once your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. For five days after you resume normal activities, it is recommended to take additional precautions, such as wearing a well-fitting mask, maintaining distance from others, gathering outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, and frequently cleaning hands and high-touch surfaces. If your symptoms or fever return, you should restart the isolation period, staying home until symptoms improve and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours.
It is also important to notify close contacts about your positive result so they can monitor for symptoms and consider testing. A close contact is generally defined as someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. If you have underlying health conditions or your symptoms worsen, you should seek medical advice from a healthcare provider.
Understanding Test Accuracy and Limitations
Antigen tests are known for their high specificity, which means they are very good at correctly identifying people who have the virus, making false positive results relatively rare. However, there is a small chance of a false positive, especially in populations with a low prevalence of COVID-19.
The sensitivity of antigen tests, their ability to correctly identify positive cases, can vary. For instance, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card has demonstrated high sensitivity in symptomatic adults within seven days of symptom onset, with studies reporting sensitivity rates around 96.5% to 97.1%. For asymptomatic individuals or those tested beyond seven days of symptom onset, the sensitivity may be lower, ranging from approximately 65.4% to 70.2% for asymptomatic adults and children.
Factors such as incorrect specimen collection or handling can also influence the reliability of test results. It is generally recommended to follow up with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about your test result or persistent symptoms.