Definition of Terms
- Coronaviruses (CoV) – a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the virus strain that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which is a respiratory illness. It is colloquially known as the coronavirus and was previously referred to its provisional name 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
- Antibody or Immunoglobulin (Ig) – a protective protein produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an antigen.
- Immunoglobulin M (IgM) – detection of IgM antibody indicates a recent infection.
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) – produced later and lasts long, which can be used as an indicator of previous or secondary infection.
- Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay – This is currently the recommended test to confirm COVID-19 infection which can be used to detect the virus. Through this assay, SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in nasal or pharyngeal samples.
1. What is COVID-19 IgG and IgM Rapid Antibody Test (RAT)?
This Antibody Test qualitatively detects the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against the COVID-19 virus in human serum, plasma, and venous whole blood specimen for the auxiliary diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.
The COVID-19 RAT CANNOT be used as a standalone test to definitively diagnose COVID-19 as the rRT-PCR test remains to be the gold standard in determining whether a person is infected or infectious. The COVID-19 RAT CANNOT be used for screening for COVID-19 disease, mass testing, or self-testing.
2. Who can take the test? Covid19 antibody rapid test
- Patients with no symptoms but with a history of close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, or persons classified as suspected cases, who have completed the 14-day quarantine period.
- Patients with no symptoms for at least 14 days, without any of the following:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat/throat irritation
- shortness of breath/ difficulty of breathing
- new anosmia (loss of sense of smell) and/or ageusia (loss of sense of taste)
- colds or nasal congestion
- muscle pain
- tiredness
- diarrhea
3. What must I bring to the clinic on the date of my test?
All patients are required to wear a mask upon entry to our clinics and keep the mask on for the duration of their stay.
All patients must bring a laboratory request form duly-accomplished by their physician that contains a request for Rapid Antibody Test. This means that they have been screened, interviewed, and assessed by a licensed physician that has deemed them eligible to undergo Rapid Antibody Testing.
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Also read: Handheld Ultrasound Devices Are Speeding Diagnosis of COVID-19