This is what an antibody test is and why it's important for COVID-19
This is why the coronavirus antibody test is an essential element of the fight against the pandemic.
Coronavirus test is a hot topic around the world, but it is, it is not just known if you are or not infected by Covid-19 which counts. Doctors and scientists now believe that antibody tests could be our best choice to reduce the gravity of the pandemic and help people afflicted earlier. But what exactly is an antibody test and how does this help? According to the scientific doctorWilliam Li, MD, author ofEat to beat the disease: the new science of how your body can heal,An antibody test does not check the COVID-19 virus itself - it measures whether or not it isYour immune system has created antibodies fight the disease. So it's a way to recognize those who have been exposed to coronavirus but recovered or were asymptotic.
"The antibodies are naturally formed in the body after a viral infection, because immune systems learns to recognize the virus," says Li. "Special immune cells called B cells are starting to make antibodies that can stick and mark the virus of the destruction."
Li explains that antibodies can take a few weeks to develop in someone who has been infected, which means that antibody tests are better completed after the recovery or exposure of a person. If the person tested shows antibodies to the disease, "it's a good sign that they are likely to resist reinfection," says Li.
While Li says thatCOVID-19 traditional tests Is done by taking a deep nasal tampon to capture mucus, antibody tests need to draw blood for a specific result.
The reason the antibody tests made titles of these days because it is a necessary step inLocking the end state of the state Across the country. Identify those who have had Covid-19 and recovered or have never presented symptoms - what is called the antibody population - is the key to the end of the stay orders at home. "Antibody population, people who have the disease and recovered, it's important to know and we areAggressive antibody test on antibodies, "The Governor of New YorkAndrew Cuomosaid earlier this week.
In the future, Li says that coronavirus antibody tests will be essential to help keep people safe. "A reliable antibody test will allow doctors to identify and confirm which has been infected and recovered from COVID-19 and that may resist reinfection due to the presence of antibodies," he said . Those without antibodies will be more likely to become infected and should be prioritized when it comes to the possible availability of a coronavirus vaccine.
"Everyone should get an antibody test to find out if they have been exposed and safe," says Li.
And for more what needs to happen for quarantine coronavirus end, discover6 things that must arrive before the lock can be lifted.