How accurate is the Covid-19 rapid antibody test?
The antibody testing at Atlantic Clinic is currently using the Acro Biotech kit.
The American supplier quotes an accuracy rate for the 2 types of antibodies:
IgM: 92.9% IgG: 98.6%*
However, there are some uncertainties at the moment:
- These figures are based on current information. New data is coming in all the time and may refine them.
- The usefulness of the test depends to a certain extent on the proportion of people within a given population that has the virus, which is at present unknown. No one knows how many people may have been infected but show no symptoms.
- Antibodies take at least 7 days after infection (or after 4 days of symptoms) to show up on the test, so it is not useful in the very early stages of an infection. In these circumstances, where active Covid-19 is suspected, the PCR test is better, which in Spain is normally done in hospitals.
Antibody testing is used to identify those who have been infected for at least 7 days, or have recovered from a previous illness (either with symptoms, or a “silent infection” which went unnoticed).
*For the technically minded, accuracy is a function of:
Relative specificity IgM 96%
Relative sensitivity IgM 85%
Relative specificity IgG 98%
Relative sensitivity IgG 100%
Dr. Anthony Crichton-Smith- GP
Everybody is talking about it… But what can we really do to protect ourselves from the coronavirus?
We know that this virus will not stop on its own and to date we also have no vaccine to immunize the population against the coronavirus. We can only count on the measures taken by the authorities to put an end to this epidemic and help, on our scale, to prevent infected people from transmitting the virus to those around them.
This means that the same measures should be followed as with any respiratory virus (cold, flu, etc.) but, this time, with a little more application and dedication:
– Avoid shaking hands or kissing everyone to say hello: of course, it is difficult to implement at first, but … this will avoid many infections!
– Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
– Cough in the hollow of your elbow or, better yet, in a tissue (which you will throw before washing your hands).
– Avoid as much as possible closed public places (shopping centers) and ventilate your home regularly if someone is sick.
– Avoid visiting fragile people (the elderly, young children, asthma sufferers, etc.) if you are sick: this will prevent contagion and put you in a delicate situation for your health.
If your initial cold worsens in an unusual way (no clinical improvement after a few days, persistence of fever for more than 3 days, respiratory distress….): Consult your doctor without delay. Ideally, move with a paper mask to avoid infecting more people until the diagnosis is confirmed (flu or other).
Bérénice Ibarra Ottino