To compare the current test with the new 10 minute kit, my colleagues and I also went to the clinic to get a serum test.
I have never tested positive for COVID-19 before, and my blood sample from a clinic test was negative for N protein. A colleague of mine who recently recovered from COVID-19 tested positive for the N protein, indicative of past infection.
“There are people with weak immune systems who have negative serological test results despite being vaccinated or even after being infected,” said Dr. Tambiya.
Most people will have a positive antibody test about one to three weeks after the onset of the disease, experts say.
Professor Dale Fisher, Senior Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital (NUH), said:
For example, he added that the time at which antibodies are detected varies “significantly” between individuals.
Some people may develop antibodies later or at very low levels. Professor Laurent Rénia, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU. In other patients, antibody production may decline as quickly as 1 to 3 months.
Most of the tests currently available detect the presence of COVID-19 antibodies, not their levels. Professor Rainier is able to detect levels that can give an indication of how effective the vaccination was in inducing antibodies.
“But we cannot predict with certainty that people will be protected,” he added.
“this Because it’s important to understand the implications of your results, we recommend discussing them with your doctor, as levels do not perfectly correlate with immunity to COVID-19. Even people with high antibody levels can become infected,” Dr Tambiya said.
Who can benefit from taking a COVID-19 serology test? People who want to know if they have been infected recently, according to experts. People with compromised immune systems may also benefit from seeing if the vaccine helped them develop antibodies as they were supposed to.
“If you don’t get antibodies within a few weeks after vaccination, you can make effective antibodies yourself, so there are treatments such as administering effective antibodies by injection,” said Professor Fisher. increase.
“These treatments can be used early in the disease or as prophylaxis for people with negative serologic tests because they cannot make their own antibodies.”
Serology results are inconclusive, but good levels of antibodies after a second booster jab may provide some relief, says Dr. Tambyah.
Low levels may raise concerns among people undergoing organ transplants and other immunosuppressive conditions, he added.
