Covid-19 Antibody Testing
"Have you developed Immunity against Covid-19?"
RAPID COVID-19 TEST
Up to recently the gold standard for the Covid-19 testing was the Nasopharyngeal swab PCR testing which recognizes the RNA of Covid-19. The problem with this test is that it is extremely uncomfortable and traumatic to insert a long Q-tip up the nose and twisting it until enough material is obtained. The other issue is that it usually takes 2-5 days to get the result back from the lab. Who can wait almost a week to get their Covid-19 test result back! A week is a long time to wait, while your family, friends, and co-workers are anxious to know if you have Corona Virus.
SOFIA 2 RAPID 15 MNUTE COVID-19 TEST
FDA has approved the Sofia 2 Rapid test, which takes 15 min to get the result! This test uses a nasal swab which is only placed in the front part of nasal airway and is not uncomfortable. The swab is placed in a special machine that detects the Covid-19 shell Protein and gives you a very accurate result within 15 minutes. The Sofia 2 SARS Antigen FIA Machine is made by Quidel and has 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity forCovid-19.
WHERE TO OBTAIL COVID-19 RAPID TESTING
We are currently offering the Rapid Covid-19 testing at ALL of our clinic locations, in Glendale, Mission Hills, Bakersfield and Delano. To schedule your test please call 818-246-4800 in Glendale and 818-933-4440 in Mission Hills, and 661-725-1094 for Central Valley.
According to Dr. Neeraj Sood from USC School of Health Public, "Antibody testing can determine whether someone was previously infected with the new coronavirus and now, presumably, is immune. Such tests, combined with other tests to rule out current infection, could potentially identify people who can reenter the workforce with minimal risk of infecting others or getting infected themselves."
ProHealth Urgent Care is now offering a 10 minute Instant COVID-19 IgG & IgM antibody test which can help determine if you were exposed to COVID-19 within the last week, and if your body is now producing IgG antibody to fight Coronavirus and can help give you immunity.
We use a USA-made Covid-19 IgG/IgM test which has received emergency approval by the FDA. According to the manufacturer the IgG is 100% sensitive and 98% specific, and the IgM test is 85% sensitive and 96% specific.
How is the Covid-19 IgM/IgG test performed?
At our Clinic you will get a tiny fingerpick to draw a drop of blood which is placed on an IgG/gM test kit. The entire process takes about 10 minutes which can reveal the following important information:
- C- Control (test is good)
- IgM- Patient had recent exposure to Covid-19.
- IgG- Patient has developed anti-Covid-19 defending antibodies, which infers some immunity.
What is the difference between the Covid-19 Nasal Swab test and the Instant Antibody test?
According to UC Davis Health "testing for Covid-19 involves inserting a 6-inch long swab into the cavity between the nose and mouth for 15 seconds and rotating the swab several times. The swabbing is then repeated on the other side of the nose to make sure enough material is collected." This sample is sent to the lab to detect Covid-19 19 mRNA material, which takes a few days. This test tells you if you currently have the Covid-19 in your nose and blood.
The Covid-19 IgG/ IgM test does not directly look for Covid-19 participles, but instead looks to see if your body has been exposed to the Covid-19 by having developed IgM antibodies which happens within a week of exposure to coronavirus. Furthermore, our body also builds anti-covid-19 antibodies or IgG which is your bodies defense system against all viruses. Ultimately, this is how we develop immunity against all infections, such as coronavirus.
What should you do if you have symptoms of coronavirus?
If you have developed symptoms including dry cough, sever breathing difficulty, prolonged fever, loss of smell & taste, and severe malaise, you might have developed coronavirus and you are contagious. DON'T come to our clinic for testing. Instead call your doctor or us on the phone for a phone consult to decide if you need to quarantine and be cared for at home, or should you go to the ER immediately.
To learn more about the FDA's recommendations please visit their website here.