COVID-19 antibody tests just got approved by the Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA).
Here, experts answer all your FAQs about the new tests.
The announcement came on the heels of the Mayo Clinic developingits own antibody testto be released April 6.
(And a lot of controversy surrounding its efficacy.)
Including: What is it?
Who will get it first?
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And how could it help a nation where cases are mounting by the day?
First up: What are antibodies?
Antibodiesattach to pathogens like viruses and neutralize them, which prevents them from further replicating inside of your body.
What is an antibody test, in the context of COVID-19?
The Cellex testtakes blood from a persons vein; other types ofantibody tests take blood using a finger prick.
This isnt the only case in which antibodies are used to identify if someone has immunity to a disease.
A positive test means you have been exposed to SARS-coronavirus-2andcouldbe immune to it.
How does the antibody test differ from the current testing available for COVID-19?
They do that with something calledpolymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.
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Thats very different than finding someone whos already been infected and may not have known it, he says.
Antibody tests, by comparison, only take about 15 minutes to show results.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
We dont have a vaccine yet.
We dont have a treatment so far thats been confirmed so far with ideal gold standard trials.
When will COVID-19 be over?
Possibly, but there are some limitations.
Initially, doctors expectations of immunity for this strain of coronavirus largely stemmed from their experience withother coronavirusesthroughout history.
(But theres not enough consistent data to show whether thats a common possibility.)
The problem is, some of these viruses, like the flu, mutate.
Every year we have a new strain, adds Dr. McClain.
Right now, the medical community just doesnt know for sure if SARS-CoV-2 will mutate.
Why are people putting so much stock in this test for combatting COVID-19?
There are people out there who are risking their lives, literally.
They can also go into work without a mask, so they dont have to waste supplies.
Dr. McClain
For the average citizen, the test could also be a game-changer.
So the value of the antibody test continues to be pretty theoretical.
If I wanted a test, where can I get one?
CityMD, for example, is offering the tests throughout itsNew Jersey and New York locations.
This post was originally published on April 3, 2020; it was updated on November 2, 2020.
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