As the global community tries to understand the scale and effects of the Covid-19 virus, molecular diagnostic tools have helped us in the fight against the Covid-19. There are currently two primary methods for testing for coronavirus infection: RT-PCR or COVID-19 Antibody Test Kit.
But do not get confused between these two. These two methods have widely different goals and consequences. Let us see how.
RT-PCR Test Vs. Covid-19 Antibody Test
RT-PCR Test
When a person is currently infected with the coronavirus, doctors will employ the PCR test to confirm the diagnosis. The most widely accepted diagnostic test for Coronavirus is the RT-PCR. It stands for “Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction”. A sample is collected from the patient’s nose and back of the throat, and diagnostics tests are run to determine whether or not viral RNA is detected in the person’s cells. COVID-19 Diagnostic test kits are even offered at home and in most large diagnostics labs.
COVID-19 Antibody Test in Delhi is used to determine the signs of the previous infection. If a person has previously shown signs of COVID-19 but currently shows no sign of the virus, then a Covid-19 antibody test is performed. In addition, if you have also received vaccination, then the Covid-19 Antibody test indicates whether the vaccine has started working for you. A blood sample is drawn from the patient, and it is evaluated if the coronavirus antibodies have been developed in the body. If the antibodies are found, it means that the person was previously infected, and the body’s immune system has created antibodies in response to the virus.
Comparison between the test
Let’s look at some points of testing criteria for both of these tests.
TIMING
RT-PCR Test: Timing is always crucial when it comes to Covid-19 testing. Covid-19 can result in symptoms that can begin from day to fourteen days. However, some people may seem infected but may never experience any symptoms at all. So, if the RT-PCR test is performed too early, then you may not get accurate results. Remember, RT-PCR tests do not detect antibodies. Therefore, if a person even has covid-19 antibodies and has beaten coronavirus, the test would not yield a positive result from a PCR test.
Covid-19 antibody test: The antibodies began to develop in the body a few days after the infection. A test performed soon after the virus exposure may not detect the antibodies in the blood. COVID-19 Antibody Test Kit can indicate whether you have developed antibodies after an infection or vaccination a few weeks until antibodies are fully formed.
