What can antibody testing really tell us about COVID-19?
Researchers are also still deciding which antibodies their tests should look for. Some antibodies are made early in an infection and go away, usually within a few weeks, while others can linger for months or years. Looking for antibodies called Immunoglobulin M, or IgM, can identify recent infections, says Harvard’s Mina.
There are also different types of tests, Sims says. The commercial tests often use a finger-prick of blood and reveal a “yes/no” answer, like a pregnancy test. Cellex’s test, which takes about 15-20 minutes to yield results, is one of only three that the FDA hasAbbott’s test, which is being rolled out on April 16, can be analyzed on any of 2,000 machines that are already in labs across the United States, says a company spokeswoman.
Antibody tests also vary in their reliability, sometimes returning false positives -- identifying someone as having had the disease when they haven’t -- and false negatives -- missing people who have antibodies in their blood. Some reinfections might be good to boost people’s immunity, he says. There is concern, for instance, that many older people who were vaccinated againstmight have lost some protection because they have not been exposed to that lethal virus in half a century. If people with antibodies to COVID-19 keep getting exposed to the virus, it might extend their protection, he says.
“At some point, I think it’s going to be important to test a large portion of the population,” Sims says. “Once vaccines are finally available, we won’t have enough to vaccinate everybody. We may need serology to say who does not have antibodies and vaccinate them first.”
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Antibody Tests For COVID-19Antibody tests can't be used to diagnose the new coronavirus (COVID-19), but they can tell you if you've ever had it. This can help health officials understand and fight the virus. Learn more about these fast blood tests and how to get one.
Read more »
Verily says it has completed more than 7,000 COVID-19 tests - Business InsiderVerily told 5 US senators that it has run more than 7,000 tests for COVID-19 and plans to keep the mandatory Google sign-in – here's the letter it sent
Read more »
NFL's Von Miller Tests Positive for COVID-19, 'Resting In Good Spirits'NFL superstar Von Miller -- one of the biggest stars in the league -- has tested positive for the coronavirus, his agent says.
Read more »
Airline passengers undergo Covid-19 blood tests before boardingDubai-based airline Emirates has begun carrying out Covid-19 blood tests on passengers at the airport prior to flights. The airline claims to be the world's first airline to conduct such tests.
Read more »
L.A. Rams' Brian Allen Tests Positive For COVID-19, 'I Couldn't Smell Anything'The former 4th-round pick says he had no reaction whatsoever to even smelling salts.
Read more »
How Frankie Grande Is Helping Amid Nick Cordero's COVID-19 BattleNick Cordero's wife, Amanda Kloots, has a 'good news' update on her husband as he battles coronavirus.
Read more »