Rapid testing is pivotal for containing the spread of COVID-19 and one of the most important actionables in fighting the pandemic our world is struggling with.
When infected with a virus such as SARS-CoV-2, the body produces antibodies that bind specifically to the antigens to help eliminate the pathogen.
This binding can be harnessed to develop antibody and antigen-based diagnostic tests.
What is an antigen test?
An antigen test is a diagnostic test.
The results are obtained rapidly, within minutes.
The tests detect a protein which is on the virus and whether the patient is in a highly infectious stage.
What is an antibody test?
The antibody test serves to check whether the body of the patient who has had the illness has generated antibodies against it, which we would consider to be immunity against COVID-19.
What is the difference between an antigen and an antibody?
The main difference between antigen and antibody is that one detects the virus in the body during its most contagious stage and, on the other hand, the antibody test detects if the body has developed a defence against the virus.
Another difference between the antigen and antibody tests varies depending on the symptoms of the person and the person’s circumstances. A person who has been exposed to direct infection, who has signs of antibodies, or simply a person who wants to find out if they are infected, should take the antigen test.
However, a person who knows that they have had the virus, or has doubts about whether they have had it, or not, should take the antibody test to check that they have developed the defence.
Antigens trigger your immune system to launch an antibody response. Specific antibodies detect specific antigens. This means each antibody wages war against one target antigen. Once antibodies detect antigens, they bind and neutralize them.
This knowledge is stored in your immune system’s long-term memory. It launches fights against the antigen should it attempt to attack your body again.
The distinct functions of antigens and antibodies are used to create tests and vaccines that help detect and combat illness and disease.
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