What is the Rapid Antibody Blood Test for Coronavirus?
Since the outbreak of coronavirus in 2019, people have been infected in huge numbers. One of the ways to combat the disease is rigorous testing. There are two kinds of coronavirus testing- diagnostic tests and antibody tests.
Diagnostic tests are used to identify the current infection. On the other hand, coronavirus Antibody testing identifies the part of the population that has already been infected.
People who have been previously infected by coronavirus or vaccinated against the virus, have developed the antibodies to fight against it. The development of antibodies provides the immunity to fight against the virus but doesn’t mean that the particular virus would not cause future infections.
SARS-CoV-2 has infected numerous people resulting in a global pandemic. However, not all of them have developed antibodies to prevent the further spread of disease. In such a case, an antibody test can be helpful to determine the percentage of the population that has developed the immune response to the virus.
Let us discuss the Rapid Antibody Blood Test for Coronavirus in detail.
1. What is coronavirus antibody testing?
Our immune system is efficient in finding any foreign bacteria and viruses entering our body. The antibodies are special proteins that are formed in response to viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Coronavirus Antibody Testing helps determine the presence of antibodies in the blood of a person who has been infected by the virus in the past.
2. What is a Rapid Antibody Blood Test for Coronavirus?
A rapid antibody blood test detects the presence of antibodies by examining the blood of the infected person. Unlike other diagnostic tests, it does not use nasal or oral swabs. The process of blood collection is convenient and minimally invasive.
The tests can also be done with a rapid antibody test kit at the comfort of your home. The process involves pricking a finger to collect the blood sample. The samples are then processed and checked. The markers on the kit will respond to the presence of antibodies on the blood sample.
It can also determine the kind of antibody development. The Coronavirus Antibody Testing can detect and differentiate the presence of IgM and IgG.
3. Importance of rapid antibody blood test
Rapid antibody blood tests provide you with faster results. The sample collection and testing are very convenient and minimally invasive. Hence, you can quickly get the information whether you have developed antibodies for the SARS-CoV-2.
Let us discuss the outcomes of an antibody blood test.
a. Positive results
A positive result indicates the presence of antibodies in your blood. This means that you have previously been infected and developed antibodies as an immune response to such infection. The presence of antibodies increases your immunity and reduces the chances of infection.
Also, you are less likely to transmit the virus. However, it does not rule out the possibility of future infection completely. You can also develop antibodies post-vaccination.
Having a positive result qualifies you for plasma donation. However, in some cases, you can get a false-positive result. This happens when the coronavirus antibody testing detects antibodies formed in response to viruses other than SARS-CoV-2.
b. Negative result
A negative result indicates that you do not have any antibodies in your blood sample. This means you have not been infected by coronavirus or have not developed antibodies if you were infected.
Also, the test inaccuracies can result in a false negative. However, it is essential to note that rapid antibody blood tests should not be used as a means to identify current infection.
With the increasing rate of covid affected people and its various mutants, testing is a powerful aid in pour battle against the virus. Rapid antibody blood testing is the easiest and the fastest way to determine the presence of antibodies. However, the tests are prone to some inaccuracies resulting in false-positive or false-negative results.