COVID-19 Antibody Testing—Pros and Cons
The COVID-19 antibody test looks for information about whether a person had contracted the coronavirus in the past. The results are determined by looking for evidence of the presence of antibodies in the blood, which would specify the immune system’s response to the virus.
Today, we’ll look at the pros and cons of the COVID-19 antibody test.
The Pros of Antibody Test
A significant advantage of undergoing an antibody test is that it determines whether a person’s immune system has built antibodies and is capable of fighting the virus. If antibodies are present inside an individual, this gives them immunity and a certain amount of protection against the coronavirus, although the specifics are waiting to be researched.
Another benefit is that the antibody test usually produces results within minutes and can identify positive cases faster than the PCR test, which takes about 48 hours or more.
Furthermore, the test is performed on a blood sample which can be collected using a small finger prick. This is quicker and more efficient than undergoing a nasal or throat swab for the PCR test, which some people find extremely uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.
Since antibody tests require just a few drops of blood, individuals can perform the test themselves and get quicker results than going to a testing center and waiting for a few days.
This rapid testing method and the availability of high-quality antibody test kits will allow for more widespread testing in the United States and expand the capacity for COVID-19 testing throughout the whole country, without limiting it to people who can physically travel to testing centers.
The Cons of Antibody Test
One problem with the antibody test is that it’s difficult to decide when the test should be conducted, and this affects the accuracy of the test results. In normal circumstances, the antibody test should be performed at least 14 days after the first symptoms of the virus start showing.
However, the COVID-19 virus doesn’t always produce symptoms in every person who is infected. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, in standard cases, antibodies can be detected in some people within the first seven days of the onset of the infection.
But if a person is asymptomatic, meaning they are not experiencing any symptoms of the virus, then it can be challenging to know when they should get tested.
Moreover, according to the American Society for Microbiology, these antibody tests can produce a false-negative result if the test is performed too soon and the antibodies have not developed yet.
In a study conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration or FDA, the antibody tests produce false-negative results at a rate of 15%.
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