Rapid test Antibody is a test to quickly detect the presence of antibodies in the blood. The presence of antibodies in the blood can indicate a person has or is currently infected with a disease.
When a virus or bacteria invades the body, the immune system responds by producing antibodies that are specific to that microorganism. These antibodies will stick to the invading virus or bacteria and try to paralyze it.
Purpose rapid test antibody is to detect the presence of specific antibodies in the blood that can fight certain diseases. As an example, rapid test antibody for COVID-19 aims to see if the patient's blood contains IgM and IgG antibodies that are specific for the Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2).
Indication Rapid Test Antibody
As explained above, rapid test Antibodies are used to detect antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins. There are five types of antibodies that can be produced by the immune system when there is an attack of disease. These antibodies are:
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
- Immunoglobulin D (IgD)
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
- Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
Of the five antibodies, rapid test Antibodies generally detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). These two types of antibodies are formed when the body has an infection and are found in the blood.
IgM is an antibody that is produced earlier when there is an infection. IgG appears more slowly, but lasts longer and serves to ward off the same infection in the future.
By knowing the presence and measuring the levels of these antibodies, rapid test Antibodies can help doctors diagnose various infectious diseases, such as:
- HIV/AIDS
- Toxoplasmosis
- Hepatitis B
- Dengue hemorrhagic fever
- Typhoid fever
- Rubella
- Cytomegalovirus
- Herpes
- COVID-19
In other words, doctors can do rapid test antibodies in patients who have symptoms or conditions that lead to a diagnosis of the above diseases, such as:
- Fever that is difficult to know the cause
- Diarrhea that doesn't go away
- Losing weight for no apparent reason
- Tired easily
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle ache
The doctor's consideration of the patient's medical history, lifestyle, and activity patterns also plays a major role in determining whether the patient needs rapid test antibodies or not.
Warning Rapid Test Antibody
It should be underlined, rapid test antibody aims to detect antibodies produced by the body to fight infection, not the microorganism that causes the infection itself. Therefore, rapid test antibody is usually only done as an initial examination (screening).
To confirm the diagnosis of a disease, the doctor will perform other supporting examinations, such as:
- Complete blood count
- Blood protein test
- Urine sample test
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Rapid test antigen
Before Rapid Test Antibody
There is no special preparation that must be done before undergoing rapid test antibody. However, it is recommended that you provide your medical history and any medications you are currently taking, as there are several medications that can affect test results.
Procedure Rapid Test Antibody
Rapid test Antibodies are carried out by taking a blood sample from the fingertip (finger prick). The following are the steps taken by doctors in the process of taking blood samples:
- Clean the patient's fingertips with alcohol
- Inserting a needle into the patient's fingertip to remove a blood sample
- Dropping a blood sample into the device rapid test
- Dropping antibody detecting liquid onto the device rapid test which has previously been dripped with patient blood samples
After Rapid Test Antibody
Results rapid test antibodies can be directly identified on the same day. For example, on rapid test antibodies for COVID-19, the results can come out in just 15 minutes. These results are listed on the test kit in the form of a line in the IgM or IgG column.
Results rapid test can be positive (reactive) or negative (nonreactive). Here are the details:
- Positive IgM and positive IgG indicate an active infection, estimated to have occurred about 3 weeks before the test.
- Positive IgM and negative IgG indicate an active infection, estimated to occur 1–3 weeks before the test.
- Negative IgM and positive IgG indicate an inactive infection, estimated to have occurred more than 3 weeks before the test.
- Negative IgM and negative IgG can mean the patient is not infected or has been infected but antibodies have not been formed.
It is important to remember that rapid test Antibodies cannot be relied upon to confirm the diagnosis of a disease. This is because there is a possible outcome rapid test false positive or false negative.
False positive result means result rapid test for antibodies to a disease shows a positive result, when in fact the patient does not suffer from the disease. While a false negative result is the opposite, showing negative when it is actually positive.
Let's look at an example of a COVID-19 rapid test. A false negative result means that someone who should have tested positive for COVID-19 got the result rapid test negative ones. If this test is used as a reference for diagnosis, the person will feel no need to self-isolate. This poses a risk of harm to those around him.
Side effects Rapid Test Antibody
Rapid test Antibodies do not cause harmful side effects. The patient may experience some pain when the needle is inserted to collect a blood sample, but the pain will soon go away.