What is an Antibody Test?
The antibodies also known as immunoglobulins are the proteinsthat the immune system of the body produces as a protective measure againstantigens. The antigens are foreign substances in the body that cause a viral infection. The antibody fights off the infection to eliminate its effect on the body. The antibody test is themeasure of the presence of antibodies in the blood. The most significant use of the COVID-19 antibody test kit is toassess the people exposed to the coronavirus and have developed an impending immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
Antibody Test for COVID-19
Nearly all immune-competent individuals will develop an immuneresponse following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Like infections with other pathogens,SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits development of IgM and IgG antibodies, which are the most useful for assessing antibody response because little is known about IgA response in the blood.
Antibodies in some persons can be detected within the first weekof illness onset. In SARS-CoV-2 infections, IgM and IgG antibodies can arisenearly simultaneously in serum within 2 to 3 weeks after illness onset. Thus, detection of IgM without IgG is uncommon. Hence, it’s advised to conduct the antibody test for COVID-19 after thegiven period.
How long IgM and IgG antibodies remain detectable followinginfection is not known.
One can visit numerous labs and healthcare centers by searchingfor COVID-19 ‘antibody testing near me’;in case, they’re encountering any symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
Antibodies Test results:
- Positive- When the result is positive, it means that the body hasdeveloped antibodies or immunity against the COVID-19 virus.
- Negative- When the result is negative, it means that they have noexposure to the COVID-19 virus. But, there can be a possibility of activeinfection in the present. It is also important to note that some persons do not develop detectable IgG or IgM antibodies following infection. Thus, the absence of detectable IgM or IgG antibodies does not necessarily rule out that they could have previously been infected.
Antibody Test Cost in India
The antibody test determines the presence of COVID-19 infectionin the body; hence, the tests are readily available at any diagnostic centerand healthcare labs. The COVID antibodytest price in India is variable for different testing companies, and theaverage price range is between INR 500-800. The antibody test cost is kept very reasonable in India to ensuretesting in large numbers to better analyze the impact of the COVID-19 virus.
