Total antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
Why this test?
This test confirms not the presence of the virus in the body itself, but the presence of antibodies that are produced to protect against infection.
When is it prescribed?
This test is prescribed for distinguishing cases of coronavirus infection from other acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI).
For detecting asymptomatic carriers of the virus.
For screening individuals who have been in contact with infected patients.
For clarification of diagnosis (for example, in the presence of COVID-19 symptoms but a negative PCR test).
For evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination.
Test Information
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a novel strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which was discovered in December 2019. COVID-19 is transmitted between people through respiratory droplets when in close contact or within approximately one and a half meters of each other. After infection, COVID-19 symptoms may appear within two weeks, primarily including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of smell, headache, weakness, diarrhea, and nausea.
The detection of two classes of antibodies within a single laboratory analysis significantly increases the accuracy of the research and enables successful application of serological methods for diagnosing COVID-19. The infectious process is accompanied by the production of two types of antibodies: IgM and IgG. IgM antibodies are produced first, with their levels rapidly increasing at the onset of infection, reaching a peak during the acute phase of the illness, and then gradually decreasing, completely disappearing upon recovery. IgG antibodies, responsible for long-term protection, appear only in the third or fourth week after infection (approximately 10-14 days after the onset of the first symptoms).