Covid-19 and immunity: Everything you need to know about antibody test
News regarding Covid has been making rounds and this article caught my attention. This article had something to say about the Antibody Test.
The antibody test is done to see the number of antibodies in patients “who are at a higher risk”
Not all patients would mount an adequate immune response to the vaccination.
With people learning new things about health and immunity in the pandemic, there is also curiosity in the questions asked to doctors. Do you know whether a person who has made a recovery from Covid infection still needs to get vaccinated or not?
Yes, indeed it is true that antibodies are present in the system but there is a need to get the vaccine doses still, for better protection. I am not saying it, this is claimed by Doctors.
Dr Chandrashekhar T, chief intensivist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi explains that antibodies — also called ‘immunoglobulins’ — are ‘protective proteins produced by a person’s immune system’ in response to antigens, which are essentially foreign substances found during a viral infection.
An antibody test measures the presence of antibodies in the blood. The major clinical utility of antibody tests is to assess the people exposed to the virus in the recent past and develop a potential immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Dr Chandrashekhar, however, cautions that antibody testing is not routinely recommended. “It is only recommended for patients who are on long-term steroids, methotrexate, are HIV-positive, have end-stage renal disease, have chronic liver disease, and more.”
He adds that not all these patients would mount an adequate immune response to the vaccination. The antibody test, therefore, is done to see the number of antibodies in patients “who are at a higher risk”. In healthy people, naturally, antibody tests are not needed and not recommended.
These tests are also not cost-effective, says the doctor. “Their availability is a concern at this stage. We also do not have the amount of vaccination to give an additional third dose to the people with low antibodies. Even after the vaccination, taking all the necessary precautions and being careful will be beneficial,” he concludes.
Source:- Indian Express
