COVID 19 Antibody Testing – How it Works:

 

Antibody Testing:

Antibodies are the proteins secreted by our immune system in response to an invader that attacks in our body and fights with that infection, for instance, COVID-19. These antibodies are also produced while you inject in a shot of vaccine-like as a vaccine against hepatitis.

To clarify, you should keep in mind that the antibodies test is not performed to check the presence of a virus. Instead, it is used to monitor your body's immune system, either it is working against the infection or not.

This test is also known as a serology test.

Role of IgM & IgG

Both types of antibodies are essential to measuring the exposure of the viral infection. In the case of SARS- CoV-2, doctors look for

IgG antibodies are found abundantly in our blood and develop after the immune system has covered the infection.

IgM antibodies, the first antibody formed when a new infection occurs and fight against it, develop early while an infection occurs.

It takes almost four weeks to develop IgM antibodies, but scientists are not sure how much time it will take to form in SARS-CoV-2.

How is the Corona Virus Test differing from Antibody Test?

A coronavirus or diagnostic test usually looks for the presence of active infection in your body, and it is a bit faster test to know either you have a virus in your body at the moment when you are tested.

On the other hand, the antibody test reveals that you have had exposure to a certain virus in your past. You might have been recovered or still contagious.

Why is Antibody Testing Significant?                    

In the current scenario, not everyone gets the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2; therefore, to get a better idea of how prevalent the virus is, this test would be helpful.

Once scientists know how many of common people are affected by this virus, it becomes helpful for them to study on it thoroughly based on recorded events such as they would try to figure out what happen if the people who have had these antibodies contact with the healthy ones or how these antibodies can be used as a cure to the one who are infected by this virus.

Nowadays, there is an experimental treatment for COVID-19 named convalescent plasma; this antibody test might found helpful in that too.

How Does Virus Attack your Body?

An infection contaminates your body by entering healthy cells. There, the virus makes duplicates of itself and increases all through your body. The new coronavirus hooks its spiky surface proteins to receptors on healthy cells, particularly those in your lungs.

In particular, the viral proteins bust into cells through ACE2 receptors. Once inside, the coronavirus seizes healthy cells and takes command. Finally, it stat killing normal healthy cells and spread out throughout the body.

The most traditional method to collect samples for COVID- 19 is salivation, a typical mechanism for infection transmission and testing spit might be as viable as nasal and throat swabs. It is thought inspecting salivation diminishes the risks for health care professionals to get infected, and it will be more comfortable for the patient as well.

Taking samples like this will also empower isolated individuals to gather their samples. Saliva test's demonstrative worth relies upon how specimens are collected (from deep throat, from the oral cavity, or salivary glands).

How Does This Test Works?

A professional will take a drop of your blood, as through a finger prick. The test searches for one of the two sorts of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the infection that causes COVID-19:

IgM antibodies, which happen from the get-go in a disease

IgG antibodies, which are bound to appear later.

Many people have IgG antibodies around 7 to 10 days after COVID-19 side effects start. They usually remain in your blood long after the contamination leaves, yet we don't have the foggiest idea of the extent for the new coronavirus.

What do the Results Reveal?

On the off chance that you test positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, it most likely means you've had the infection. It's likewise conceivable to get a "false positive" on the off chance that you have antibodies yet had a different sort of coronavirus.

A positive outcome may mean you are immunized to the coronavirus. It's too soon to realize how potent it is or to what extent it may last.

A negative outcome implies you haven't come into contact with the infection or haven't had it sufficiently long to make antibodies. You could likewise have been exposed to it and still not have antibodies. This is known as a false negative.

Regardless of the outcome, if you don't have symptoms, you don't require follow-up. In any case, on the off chance that you do, you may have a diagnostic test to search for indications of active virus.

Since there are chances that the test results could be nullifying and because we have a lack of knowledge related to this virus, so it's critical to continue following official safety rules after your test. Remain at home as much as possible, wear a face mask, cover it when you're in broad daylight, and frequently wash your hands.

How to Get the Antibody Test?

You can't do these tests at home. Be that as it may, they're getting all the more generally accessible in numerous regions. The FDA has given crisis use decisions for a few free response tests so individuals can get them before they have full FDA endorsement. Ask your primary care physician or neighborhood medical clinic how to get tested.

By: Fatima Anjum