Wondering why there's so much hype surrounding COVID-19 antibody testing and why it's become such an important topic lately? In our article this week, we'll take a closer look at the buzz surrounding antibody testing and explain why it's being looked at as a way to battle COVID-19 — and ultimately — return to normal life.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and countries begin shifting to the second phases of their recovery plans, antibody testing has begun to take centre stage. But what is antibody testing? And how does it help us battle COVID-19? Read on to find out more about this important topic that's sure to play a central role in our world's recovery from SARS-CoV-2.
Ichor has you covered
If you're looking for COVID-19 antibody testing in Calgary, Ichor Blood Services has you covered. We've recently begun accepting bookings for our COVID-19 serology antibody testing collection service, which will allow you to have your blood collected in the comfort and safety of your own home. Your sample is then shipped to our laboratory testing partner, who will determine if you have potentially been exposed to the virus and now have the antibodies for it. For more information on our COVID-19 serology antibody testing collection service, click the button below.
What are antibodies?
Antibodies are proteins that are Y-shaped which attach themselves to foreign invading particles or substances such as pathogens. Also referred to as immunoglobulins (Ig), antibodies play an important role in the ability of our immune systems to fend off and defeat infections or diseases.
How do antibodies work?
When a foreign bacteria or virus enters our body, our immune system responds by using its B cells to secrete antibodies. These antibodies then bind to the foreign invader, which is known as an antigen. From there, antibodies either neutralize the antigen themselves or make it easier for our immune system to target the pathogen and destroy it.
So how does testing for antibodies help us battle COVID-19?
Because of antibody specificity, which means each antibody only recognizes one specific antigen, we can determine that our immune system has come up against a certain virus such as SARS-CoV-2 by testing for the antibodies specific to that virus. This allows us to say with a high degree of likelihood that someone has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 if these antibodies are present during testing, and as early research seems to indicate, that this person also has some protection or immunity against reinfection, at least for a short period of time.
Antibody testing may also allow us to get a better overall picture of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 within the general population. This is due to the fact that the antibodies our immune system creates when encountering SARS-CoV-2 last much longer within our bodies than the genetic material of the virus itself. By better understanding how widespread SARS-CoV-2 is through antibody testing, we can gain greater clarity about how fatal or serious the disease caused by it is.
Are you looking for COVID-19 antibody testing in Calgary? Ichor is proud to announce that we are now accepting bookings for our COVID-19 serology antibody testing collection service. Appointments are being scheduled on a first come first serve basis, so book yours today to beat the rush!
What are 'immunity passports'?
The term 'immunity passport' is being used to describe the free travel of people who have the antibodies for SARS-CoV-2, making them theoretically immune to reinfection. While more testing and research is needed to categorically determine if the antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 confer immunity against reinfection, early research has shown that those people with the antibodies are likely protected at least for a short period of time from being reinfected. As the world begins to shift out of lockdown, immunity passports are being considered by governments as a way to ensure frontline workers and other people can return safely to work, or travel without further spreading the disease.
So what does it all mean?
Because everything about the novel coronavirus is so new — hence its name — there is still a lot we don't know about SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19. But antibody testing will allow us to know more. Most importantly, it will let us know how widespread the virus is and who has encountered it. By figuring out these pieces to the puzzle, we'll have a better understanding of how far along we are to developing herd immunity against the virus, and which people can presumably return to work safely as the search for a vaccine continues on.
Ichor has you covered
If you're looking for COVID-19 antibody testing in Calgary, Ichor Blood Services has you covered. Ichor is offering corporate or large group bookings or travel testing for COVID-19 antibody or active PCR test collection. For more information about our collection services, please give us a call at 1-844-424-6728 or fill out our contact form.
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