How Antibody Testing allow You to Fight COVID-19

Posted by Rick Martin on December 1st, 2020

The first antibody test for COVID-19 has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This approval has come in the form of medical companies and academic laboratories developing blood tests to detect people who have already contracted SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus which can lead to COVID-19. These tests can possibly detect the ones who are suffering from the virus. Read on to know about some important facts how antibody test enables to fight against COVID-19.

• The FDA has approved the first antibody test for coronavirus.
• There are various groups already working on a blood test that would detect if someone had COVID-19 earlier and probably whether they are immune.
• These kinds of tests will enable the officials to know who no more at risk for developing the disease is.

What is an “immunity” test?

There are two kinds of COVID-19 tests.

1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing enables to detect the presence of this virus’ genetic material (RNA) on a throat or nasal swab. These tests can determine if someone is having any infection.
2. The other one is serological testing that can detect the presence of antibodies produced by your immune system against SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies allow your body to fight an infection and are specific to bacteria, virus or other pathogen.

People who have a weak immune system might not be able to prepare these antibodies properly. After the transmission, it might require several days for the body to produce antibodies to the virus. This will actually make serological tests less useful than viral RNA tests for diagnosing someone who is already having COVID-19. But antibodies might last for a long time in your body that makes them ideal to detect if someone had contracted this virus.

How long will immunity last?

Serological tests are generally known as “immunity tests” as a person who has recovered from COVID-19 would be immune to this kind of virus. Since SARS-CoV-2 is new, there are several questions that arise in your mind. How long will immunity last? Can people who have mild or no symptoms get the same kind of protection? Will virus mutate to overcome the immunity of your body? Researchers have already started to get some answers, but many might not be known for a few months or years.

There is some possibility that the virus will change and overcome the protection of your body. Experts have suspected that people who recover from COVID-19 will get proper protection against this virus for at least a short span of time.

When will testing be widely available?

The FDA has already relaxed its rules for such tests that will speed things up. But the companies still need to prove that the tests are correct. On Apr. 1, the agency had approved the first antibody test for use and detected for the antibodies in a finger prick of blood. The results were delivered within 15 minutes at the most. The test can be done through prescription though there is no sign of how soon the tests have to be rolled out.

Along with other serological tests, antibodies for this virus do not ensure the presence of immunity. Besides, various groups are working on serological tests for COVID-19 and scientists have developed a test and expect to start using it though it won’t be available for the general public right now.

Other countries such as United Kingdom and Germany are conducting these tests to enable people who have immunity for coming out of this lockdown phase. There might not be sufficient tests for everyone and so, healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers will probably be the first to use them. This will enable the ones who have immunity to the virus for getting back to work soon.

Serological testing might be a possible option for other people or entire section of the country to overcome the lockdown as STD Check London is there to offer PCR swab testing service. This should be done carefully to ensure people have fully recovered from COVID-19 and will no more pass on the deadly virus to others.

By combining together antibody test with a viral RNA test, you will know if you are having any active infection in the body.