May 28 (UPI) -- Sen. Tim Kaine said Thursday that he and his wife, Anne Holton, tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies after experiencing flu-like symptoms in recent months.
Kaine, D-Va., said in a statement they tested positive for the antibodies for coronavirus this month after suspecting they may have had the virus because of flu-like symptoms in March and April.
"I tested positive for the flu earlier this year and was given standard medication to treat it," Kaine said. "The symptoms lingered and I continued to receive treatment from my physician for the flu through mid-March. At the end of March, I experienced new symptoms that I initially thought were flu remnants and a reaction to an unusually high spring pollen count. Then Anne experienced a short bout of fever and chills, followed by congestion and eventually a cough."
Kaine said in the statement that in April they thought they both may have "mild cases of coronavirus."
"We were both at home in Richmond, working remotely and isolated from others," Kaine said. "Due to the national testing shortage, we were not tested for the virus but continued isolating and watched for any worsening of symptoms. By mid-April we were symptom free."
CNN reported earlier this week that the tests for coronavirus antibodies could be wrong half the time, according to new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Even if the test was correct, Kaine cautioned in his statement Thursday that there's still a lot unknown.
"While those antibodies could make us less likely to be re-infected or infect others, there is still too much uncertainty over what protection antibodies may actually provide," Kaine said. "So we will keep following CDC guidelines -- hand-washing, mask wearing, social distancing. We encourage others to do so as well. It shows those around you that you care about them."