SARS COV-2 (Covid-19) Antibody, Qualitative
What is SARS COV-2 (Covid-19) Antibody Test
Antibodies are produced in response to an infection or after a vaccination. The body’s immune system acts against invading pathogens with the help of these antibodies. Even after vaccination against a particular disease, the body produces enough antibodies to provide some level of protection from that disease. In the case of re-infection, the body already has enough antibodies to protect the person from getting severely ill.
The SARS COV-2 (Covid-19) antibody test is done to detect antibodies to the SARS COV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19. This test is performed to help identify individuals infected with the SARS COV-2 virus or who have recovered from Covid-19.
SARS COV-2 (Covid-19) test is also known as COVID-19 Serology, Serological test.
There are many types of antibodies and have characteristic functions in the body. IgA provides protection against ingested and inhaled pathogens. IgD signals the activation of B-cells in the body’s defense system. IgE helps fight off allergic reactions by releasing histamine. IgG protects the body from viral and bacterial infections, and IgM acts as the first line of defense against infections and also plays a key role in immune regulation.
During Covid-19 infection, levels of IgG seem to decrease slowly when compared to the other classes of antibodies. Thus, assays that are performed to measure total antibodies, or IgG, could show higher sensitivity than IgM assays.
Symptoms of Covid-19
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Test preparation
No special preparation is required for the test.
Interpretation of results
|
Parameters |
Interpretation |
|
Positive |
Indicates previous infection with SARS COV-2 virus; Covid-19 antibodies are present in the blood |
|
Negative |
Shows absence of Covid-19 antibodies; no previous history of infection |
Deviations from the normal result indicate:
- A positive result could also mean antibodies are present in the body after taking the Covid-19 vaccine.
- A false-positive result indicates a positive test result, even though antibodies against the Covid-19 virus are not present in the body. This may be due to the timing of the test, i.e., too early or too late in the infectious stage of the virus.
- A false-negative result indicates that even though antibodies are present in the body against the Covid-19 virus, they go undetected. This may happen if the test was conducted too soon after the infection to detect antibodies.
FAQs
How is a SARS COV-2 (Covid-19) antibody test done?
This test requires taking a small blood sample from a vein in your arm by pricking a needle. The drawn blood is then collected into a vial or test tube and sent to the laboratory for further investigations.
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for this test?
If this test is done using a rapid kit, the results are obtained within 30 minutes or less. If the sample is sent to a laboratory, it might take 4-5 working days. In such cases, the test report can also be mailed or made available electronically.
Does this test involve any risks?
As this is a simple blood test, it involves negligible risks. A person might feel a slight pain or stinging sensation at the site of a prick, but this feeling goes away in a few minutes.
Are antibody tests useful in diagnosing Covid-19?
No, an antibody test cannot diagnose if a person has Covid-19. The SARS COV-2 virus cannot be detected using antibody tests. These tests are only able to indicate if a person has had a previous infection or suffered from Covid-19.
Can a SARS COV-2 antibody test be useful in determining if I need a COVID-19 vaccine?
No, a SARS COV-2 antibody test cannot help determine if a person needs to get the Covid-19 vaccine or booster dose. There is a need for further research to understand the role of SARS COV-2 antibody testing in assessing an individual’s immunity and protection against COVID-19 through vaccines.
Related tests
SARS COV-2 (COVID-19) Qualitative Real Time PCR
₹ 450-
Includes
1 Test Parameter(s)
-
SARS COV-2 (COVID-19) test is used for the qualitative detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19. Reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is considered a gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19 infection as it is the most reliable and accurate test. Qualitative RT-PCR aids in the detection of the viral RNA. This test is usually performed on a throat or nasal swab. The doctor advises this test if one is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 like sore throat, cough, fever, or other flu-like symptoms. Also, the test is advisable if one has been in contact with a COVID-positive person or traveled to areas where COVID-19 prevalence is high.
Tests At Lupin Diagnostics
SARS COV-2 (COVID-19) Qualitative Real Time PCR
₹ 450-
Includes
1 Test Parameter(s)
-
SARS COV-2 (COVID-19) test is used for the qualitative detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also known as COVID-19. Reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is considered a gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19 infection as it is the most reliable and accurate test. Qualitative RT-PCR aids in the detection of the viral RNA. This test is usually performed on a throat or nasal swab. The doctor advises this test if one is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 like sore throat, cough, fever, or other flu-like symptoms. Also, the test is advisable if one has been in contact with a COVID-positive person or traveled to areas where COVID-19 prevalence is high.