When the first case of Covid-19 was reported, there was panic all over the world. Two years later, things are a little different now because scientists and doctors have developed ways to diagnose the disease. To know whether a person has the virus, there are tests that need to be done. Keep reading to understand the difference between antibody, antigen, and PCR tests done at los Angeles urgent care center.
Diagnostic or PCR Test
There are several tests that doctors can do to determine whether a person is or was infected by Covid-19. Getting a PCR test is meant to detect or check whether a person is currently infected with the new coronavirus. This diagnostic test is performed by drawing or extracting a sample of mucus from the patient. This test is quite popular at los angeles urgent care center and it helps to prevent the further spread of the dreaded disease.
Saliva can also serve as a sample. The sample can either come from the patient’s nose or throat. Once the sample is extracted, it will undergo lab tests to check for the genetic material of the coronavirus. A technology called PCR (polymerase chain reaction) works by amplifying the viral genetic material if there is any. For the generic material to be detectable, it has to be active in the body.
Antibody Testing
Antibody testing is quite reliable at Woodman medical clinic when it comes to detecting the presence of antibodies in a person who was previously infected by Covid-19. It is usually done to persons who were infected by the virus and recovered. The test won’t detect the genetic material in a currently infected patient. During the antibody testing, a sample of blood is drawn from the patient and taken to the lab for analysis.
Getting back the results takes a few minutes. When the pandemic was first announced, these tests took longer because of the testing backlog. Antibody testing helps to track the spread of the virus in the community. It is a blood test meant to look for antibodies that develop after the virus. When any kind of disease attacks the body, it often creates antibodies to fight against that particular infection.
When it comes to antibody testing, quality is of great concern. Antibodies can develop within four days or can take more than a week after infections. This means that such a test won’t serve any purpose in patients who are currently suffering from Covid-19. There are over 120 tests in the market right now, and not all of them are accurate. They are in the market without FDA approval but they are allowed. It is advisable to get these tests at los angeles urgent care center.
Antibody tests take a few minutes to produce results. The accuracy of the results often depends on the sophistication of the test or equipment used. One such antibody testing is known as Elisa (Enzyme-linked immunoassay). It is not easily available, but it produces much more accurate results.
Antigen test
An antigen test is often done at the urgent care Pacoima clinic to diagnose people who are currently infected by Covid-19. It usually works much faster than other kinds of Covid-19 tests and produces accurate results. It wasn’t meant to diagnose coronavirus but is quite definitive. During an antigen test, the doctor will use a swab to collect mucus secretion from the throat or the nose of the patient. An antigen test is used to detect proteins from the virus and not genetic material. It works as rapid strep testing.
Conclusion
Covid-19 was a big blow to the entire world. However, the advancement in medical technology has made it easier to detect and curb its spread. As a second and third level of protection antibody testing and vaccinations are working very effectively. If you have any Covid-19-related symptoms, you need to undergo PCR testing. This type of test is quite effective when it comes to identifying the presence of genetic material that causes Covid-19.