Antibodies and antigens play a significant role in any and disease. At the same time, one tries to create havoc on our health system while the other fights to protect it. This means antigens can make you sick, while the antibodies are how your body immune system defends itself against these antigens. Antibody tests for Covid have gained a huge momentum because it serves as a protection against the covid virus.
You can read on to know more about the significant role antigens and antibodies play in your health system.
What is an antigen?
Antigens or immunogens are the toxins or substances inside your blood that incite your body immune system to fight them. Antigens are usually bacteria or viruses, but they can also be other substances outside your body that may have a negative impact on your health. this battle of your body is known as immune response. The presence of antigens inside the body incites your body to fight these disease-producing foreign substances. The white blood cells inside the body produce antibodies to fight these antigens.
What is an antibody?
Antibodies are also known as immunoglobins or Ig. These Y-shaped proteins are created by the immune system B lymphocytes or B cells. The B cells attack and remove the virus and toxins which are present outside the cell. These cells create specific antibodies for a specific type of antigen. These antibodies are tailor-made for blocking the locking of the antigens and tagging them for the attack. Antibody Test for COVID can find whether your body has created the necessary antibodies, thereby stopping the infections.
The primary elements of antibodies are:
IgG: These antibodies are found in a vast number in your plasma. They help in the detoxification of harmful substances and also provide you with long-term protection.
IgM: B cells are produced in response to the antigens.
IgA: These antibodies do the work of antigens collection and remove them from your body through mucus or other body fluids.
IgE: These antibodies produce allergies and protect your body from parasites. You can find them in small amounts in the skin, lungs, and mucus membranes.
IgD: The antibodies bind to the B cells and signal the immune system to release IgM antibodies.
Antibody Test Cost for COVID 19 finds out the IgM and IgG antibodies in your body. These determine whether you have previously been infected with Covid-19.
Role of antigens and antibodies in COVID-19 testing
Molecular tests
These tests are helpful in measuring the genetic material from a virus that is present inside your body. A sample from your nose or throat is collected using a long swab. If a test result comes out at negative, that means you do not have the coronavirus infection during the testing period. However, the test result may prove to be wrong if you have a very low level of the virus to cause your development of the coronavirus infection is recent.
Antigen tests
This antigen test measures the protein from the virus. The material is collected from your nose or throat using a long swab. The most rapid coronavirus test are antigen tests. You can diagnose coronavirus test but cannot rule out a current, active infection. You will require a molecular test to confirm the negative test of covid-19.
Antibody tests.
Antibody Test for COVID measures the antibodies in the blood. In this test, the material is collected by a blood test by drawing blood from your finger or arm. Depending on the antibodies which are being measured, the test can reveal whether you have started to fight the coronavirus infection or if there is a presence of the virus. These tests are great at determining if you have had covid-19 for a period of time. However, these tests cannot reveal whether you have a current infection. Antibody Test After Vaccination can reveal whether the vaccine has started working and producing antibodies.
