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What if I'm interested in a COVID-19 diagnostic test or antibody test?

Views: 0     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2023-02-24      Origin: Site

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19,you should get tested. If you have symptoms of COVID-19,please contact your healthcare provider to review your symptoms and ask about testing before you come in so staff can prepare for your visit.Ability to take either test depends on where you live,test availability,and whether you are considered eligible.

How can diagnostics and antibody testing help reduce the spread of COVID-19?

With a COVID-19 diagnostic test, people who test positive and are symptomatic can receive care earlier.Self-isolation or isolation can be started earlier to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.But no COVID-19 test is 100% accurate.It is possible to test negative but actually be infected (false negative result) or to test positive but not be infected (false positive result).Therefore, it is critical to continue to follow COVID-19 precautions, such as washing your hands regularly, avoiding crowds, and wearing a mask when appropriate. If you feel unwell, stay home and away from others.The results of antibody tests show how many people have been infected with COVID-19 and recovered, including those who were asymptomatic.This helps determine who may be immune, but the extent and duration of immunity is unknown.

  • COVID-19 variants: what's the problem? COVID-19 diagnostic test

  • Concerns about new COVID-19 variants? Are they more contagious?

  • Answer from Daniel C.DeSimone, MD

  • Viruses are constantly changing through mutations.When a virus has one or more new mutations,it is called a variant of the original virus Currently,the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a variant of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a variant of concern:

  • Omicron.This variant spreads more easily than the original virus and the delta variant that cause COVID-19.However, omicrons do not appear to cause serious illness.Fully vaccinated people can acquire a breakthrough infection and spread the virus to others.But the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in preventing severe disease.This variant also reduces the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody treatments.Omicron has several main branches (sublines),including BA.5 and BA.2.12.1. BA.5 accounts for about 88% of genetically sequenced COVID-19 infections in the U.S. in August 2022, according to the CDC.In April, the CDC downgraded the delta variant from a variant of concern to a variant being monitored.This means that the delta variant is not currently considered a major public health threat in the United States.To increase protection against COVID-19 and transmitted variants,CDC recommends timely vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine and any other primary vaccines and boosters for which you are eligible.