Hyderabad: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued an advisory for carrying out antibody testing for all symptomatic individuals in coronavirus hotspots in the country.
What is the Rapid Antibody Test?
When a person is infected with a virus or any pathogen, the body makes antibodies to fight it. These antibodies are detected by a rapid antibody test. Antibodies present in the blood only indicate whether a person is coronavirus infected or not.
The test is performed by taking a blood sample of the suspect. It ensures speedy detection of viral cases and normally takes around 15-30 minutes to give the result.
Doctors say that If the virus enters your body, the body will prepare a weapon to fight the virus which is known as antibodies. Antibodies are exactly the opposite of the virus which is why it disables the virus.
There are types of antibodies, the first of these is IgM which does not stay for more than a few days. Detection of IgM antibody means that the infection is recent. When the IgG antibody appears, you will know that your immune system is improving. If you see only IgG antibody and no IgM antibody, then it can be assumed that this is an old infection.
A person who has not been tested before for the virus or has been cured on his own can also be identified with this antibody test.
The Indian Council of Research reported that the test would only be used for hotspot areas, people exposed to those areas and people living in incubation centers. The general public should not demand this rapid test.
Till now RT-PCR test was used. In this, the sample is taken through a swab from the throat or nose. These tests are expensive and also take a lot of time. At the same time, the cost of the rapid test is low and results are also found quickly.
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