Bhubaneswar: Private laboratories in the state have started antibody or serological tests, which was so far done only in government hospitals. Many online and offline lab services are offering lucrative services and encouraging people to undertake the test.
Antibody test is undertaken to detect past infection by the novel coronavirus by measuring and screening antibodies developed in human bodies against the viral disease owing to its exposure to the virus in
the past.
According to the private labs, as several asymptomatic patients recover without knowing that they had been infected by the virus, this test can help them in ascertaining whether they were exposed to the virus at any point of time.
However, city doctors said that antibody test should not be used by people for any treatment or course correction but only be undertaken to know about their past exposure to the virus. This technology is also used by government agencies for research work.
“This test reveals that whether a person was exposed to the virus in the last 3-4 weeks. It does not mention about current infection. As many Covid-19 patients are asymptomatic, it helps them to knowif they were infected in the past. It also measures the levels of antibodies in people,” said Dr Manoj Sahu, gastroenterologist at SUM Hospital.
According to the doctors, two types of antibodies are produced in human bodies with the exposure of the virus-IgM and IgG. While IgM develops faster and dies faster, IgG lasts longer and protects the recovered patients for a longer time.
“Higher numbers of antibodies show better protection and they can be eligible for plasma donation,” Dr Sahu said.
“While many people have expressed their keenness to undergo the test, it is worth mentioning that antigen test does not confirm whether a person will be infected by the virus in future,” said Dr Alakta Das, a city gynaecologist.
Manish Kumar, OP