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Rapid test antibody is a test to quickly detect the presence of antibodies in the blood. The presence of antibodies in the blood can indicate that someone has or is currently infected with a disease.
When a virus or bacteria attacks the body, the immune system will respond by producing antibodies that are specific to that microorganism. These antibodies will stick to the invading virus or bacteria and try to disable them.
The purpose of an antibody rapid test is to detect the presence of specific antibodies in the blood that can fight certain diseases. For example, the antibody rapid test for COVID-19 aims to see if the patient's blood contains IgM and IgG antibodies specific to the Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2).
Indication of Antibody Rapid Test
As explained above, antibody rapid test is used to detect antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins. There are five types of antibodies that can be produced by the immune system when there is a disease. The antibodies are:
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
- Immunoglobulin D (IgD)
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
- Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
Of the five antibodies, the antibody rapid test generally detects immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). These two types of antibodies are formed when the body is infected and are found in the blood.
IgM is an antibody that is produced earlier when there is an infection. IgG appears slower, but lasts longer and works to ward off the same infection at a later date.
By knowing the presence and measuring the level of these antibodies, antibody rapid test can help doctors diagnose various infectious diseases, such as:
- HIV/ AIDS
- Toxoplasmosis
- Hepatitis B
- Dengue hemorrhagic fever
- Typhoid fever
- Rubella
- Cytomegalovirus
- Herpes
- COVID-19
In other words, a doctor can perform a rapid test for antibodies to a patient who has symptoms or conditions that lead to a diagnosis of the aforementioned diseases, such as:
- A fever that is difficult to determine
- Diarrhea that doesn't go away
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Tires easily
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle pain
The doctor's consideration of the patient's medical history, lifestyle, and activity patterns also plays a major role in determining whether or not a patient needs a rapid test for antibodies.
Antibody Rapid Test Alert
It should be emphasized, the antibody rapid test aims to detect the antibodies produced by the body to fight infection, not the microorganisms that cause the infection itself. Therefore, the antibody rapid test is usually only performed as an initial examination (screening).
To confirm the diagnosis of a disease, the doctor will perform other investigations, such as:
- Complete blood count
- Blood protein test
- Test the urine sample
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Rapid test antigen
Prior to the Antibody Rapid Test
There are no special preparations that must be made before undergoing the antibody rapid test. However, it is recommended that you provide your medical history and what medications are currently being taken, as there are several drugs that can affect the test results.
Antibody Rapid Test Procedure
Antibody rapid test is done by taking a blood sample from the finger prick. The following are the steps that a doctor takes in the process of taking a blood sample:
- Cleaning the patient's fingertips with alcohol
- Inserting a needle into the patient's fingertip to draw out a blood sample
- Drop a blood sample into a rapid test
- Drop the antibody detection fluid into the rapid test tool that the patient's blood sample has previously been dropped
After the Antibody Rapid Test
The results of the antibody rapid test can be immediately known on the same day. For example, in a rapid test for antibodies for COVID-19, the results can come out in just 15 minutes. These results are listed on the test kit in the form of a line in the IgM or IgG column.
Rapid test results can be positive (reactive) or negative (nonreactive). Here are the details:
- Positive IgM and positive IgG indicate an active infection, estimated to occur about 3 weeks before the test.
- Positive IgM and negative IgG indicate active infection, estimated to occur 1–3 weeks before the test.
- Negative IgM and positive IgG indicate an inactive infection, estimated to have occurred more than 3 weeks before the test.
- Negative IgM and negative IgG can mean the patient is not infected or already infected but antibodies have not formed.
It is important to remember that antibody rapid tests cannot be relied on to confirm the diagnosis of a disease. This is because there is a possibility that the rapid test results will be false positives or false negatives.
A false positive result means that the rapid test for antibodies to a disease is positive, even though the patient does not actually have the disease. Whereas a false negative result is the opposite, indicating negative when it is actually positive.
Let's take a look at an example of a COVID-19 rapid test. A false negative result means someone who should be positive for COVID-19 has a negative rapid test result. If this test is used as a reference for diagnosis, the person will not feel the need to undergo independent isolation. This puts the people around you at risk.
Side Effects of Antibody Rapid Test
Rapid test for antibodies does not cause harmful side effects. The patient may experience a little pain when the needle is inserted to collect a blood sample, but the pain will go away soon.
Label : Health
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