COVID-19 Antibody Tests - How They Work
Covid-19 antibody tests, also known as serology tests, are used to detect antibodies in your blood and determine if you had a previous infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The presence of Covid-19 antibodies most likely means you were exposed to Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
As soon as your body is exposed to a foreign pathogen that causes illness, like the coronavirus, your body's first response is to produce antibodies. Antibodies are the proteins created by your body's immune system soon after being infected or vaccinated. They live in the blood and tissue and help your body fight off infections and viruses.
Notably, antibodies can protect you from getting that disease again. However, the longevity of this protection differs for respective disease conditions and individuals.
Research shows that COVID-19 antibody tests, along with vaccinations, can combat COVID-19 infections. Antibody tests, therefore, aren't merely a temporary solution for COVID-19, but a solution that will largely dictate how fast and effectively we can beat it.
Exactly How Do Antibody Tests Work?
Ideally, a health technician collects your blood sample, which is taken to the lab for screening. The test then looks for one or both varieties of antibodies linked to the virus that causes COVID-19:
- IgM antibodies, which appear early in an infection.
- Or IgG antibodies, which appear in later stages of disease infection.
Recent research studies show that most people develop IgG antibodies about 14 days after symptoms start. The IgG antibodies usually stay in your blood long after the infection goes away, which helps antibody testing.
However, the period may differ for the new coronavirus strains. Aside from a laboratory test, one can opt for rapid point-of-care tests, which use finger-prick blood and can be done at home.
Are Antibody Tests Accurate and Reliable?
The efficacy of antibody tests isn't precisely error-free given the improvement and emergence of new antibody tests. The CDC notes these tests are not 100% accurate as both false-positive results or false-negative results may occur.
False-positive results incorrectly interpret something else for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Alternatively, false-negative results mean that you have COVID-19 antibodies, but the test incorrectly shows that you lack them.
Nonetheless, choosing an antibody test with high specificity and testing people who might have had COVID-19 can minimize false-positive results.
Regardless of the disparity, the probability of accurate results has significantly improved, with companies now producing antibody lab tests claiming specificity and sensitivity rates above 95%. This means that they show almost no false positives nor false negatives.
Should You get Antibody Testing?
Well, this is a question with no straightforward answer. COVID-19 antibodies tests tell you if you have been infected in the past. They don't accurately tell you if you are presently infected. If you are curious about whether you might have been infected without symptoms, you could get an antibody test.
However, even an accurate positive antibody test does not guarantee immunity from the virus. Don't neglect protective measures that protect yourself and others by physical distancing, hand washing, and mask-wearing.
While there are good reasons for some individuals to COVID-19 antibodies tests, it's unnecessary for most people. Either way, it comes down to a personal decision or if the need arises. Y
Where Can You Get a Test?
Getting Covid-19 tests has been seemingly frustrating due to infrastructural challenges. On its end, antibody testing seems to be less of a hassle and is rolling out a little more efficiently. Many health organizations can and are beginning to offer the test. Contact your local or state health department for information on antibody testing.
Importantly, consult your doctor about antibody testing before making any decision. Most insurance providers should cover your test fees, but check with yours to be sure.
Also, just in case of emergency, keep a record of brands that offer emergency medical responses in your department. A good example of such brands is express dentist. The brand has partnered with hundreds of leading dental care providers in the US to provide emergency dental care as soon as you need it.
Why is Antibody Testing Important?
Assuming that the test results are accurate, testing can offer numerous benefits.
For one, antibody tests can show how many people had COVID-19 and recovered, including those who didn't have symptoms.
This aids health professionals in determining who might have immunity, though the extent and period for how long the immunity lasts isn't conclusive. As such, it's easier to identify and manage patient care after recovery from COVID-19, which is vital for future medical management.
Another benefit of accurate antibody testing is that individuals who've recovered from COVID-19 may be eligible for convalescent plasma donation. Plasma donation could be used to treat people with severe COVID-19 -19 infection and boost their ability to fight the virus.
Lastly, testing can help to determine the risk of antibody status before immunization. Now that vaccines are in production, this is particularly helpful for vaccine selection and prioritization. Individuals with a history of COVID-19 can be segregated in assessing the response to vaccination.
Conclusion
At this point, I'm pretty sure you understand the basics of COVID-19 antibody testing. If you decide to go for testing and test positive, don't assume that you are immune to COVID-19. Second infections are known to occur.
Although there isn't conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of antibodies to COVID-19 immunity, it's safe to say that the possibilities of antibody testing and vaccination can provide a lasting solution to the COVID-19 pandemic soon.
