By Anoushka Ghosh
COVID-19 is unmistakably one of the deadliest viruses that have plagued the world. In fear, we are all shoved into the confines of our home - desperately following every rule. Wash your hands, wear a mask and sanitize everything! But even with such precautions, the tiniest molecule may escape and enter into our body - gumming up the inner workings of our body. Then, you feel your body warming up, a pulsing headache, and the dry coughs. It is only then you think: I need to get tested! But, what test should one take?
Let us make it simpler for you to understand. There are two subcategories for the type of test, which is either diagnostic test or antibody test. The diagnostic test can show whether or not you have an active COVID-19 infection - this can aid you in taking immediate measures to quarantine yourself. The diagnostic tests include molecular and antigen tests that allow us to detect the active COVID-19 infection. Tests like these are conducted by collecting a nasal or throat swab or saliva collected by spitting into a tube.
On the other hand, we have the ANTIBODY test. It differs drastically from the ANTIGEN test. The antibody tests allow us to find the antibodies that fight the virus of SARS-CoV-2 (this is the COVID-19 virus). Antibodies take a matter of days to weeks to develop and fight against a virus. The antibodies may stay in your blood several days after your recovery, so it can’t determine whether or not you have COVID-19. The samples of antibody tests are typically blood from a finger stick or blood drawn for a test.
Now, you must not mix up antibody and antigen tests. As mentioned before, antibody tests allow tests to pinpoint the antibodies produced to fight against SARS-CoV-2. It would mean that it is not capable of telling whether or not you do have COVID-19. The antigen test can tell you whether or not you have COVID-19 because it seeks out the virus’ antigen itself. In short, the antibody is a Y-shaped molecule that identifies and neutralizes the pathogen, and the antigen is the pathogen that triggers an immune response.
Now, what type of diagnostic tests are there? There are two types which include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and the Lateral Flow test. A PCR test can directly screen for the presence of viral RNA. This test can detect the illness in the earlier stages. It is before the body has had a chance to trigger an immune response and create antibodies. Substances known as reverse transcriptase or DNA polymerase will be added to a nasopharyngeal sample. The DNA polymerase works to make numerous copies of any viral RNA present. Once enough copies of the viral RNA are present, the probes and primers can attach to the genetic sequence and signal that the virus has been found. Although this may be an accurate test, it takes a rather long time to analyze the test sample.
Since time may be an issue for you, you could always go for a Lateral Flow Test (LFT). The test has been made to pick up an active COVID-19 infection rather than the antibodies to the disease. First, you place the nasopharyngeal sample on a small absorbent pad via a capillary line. Then, a strip coated in SARS-CoV-2 antibodies will bind to any COVID-19 virus molecules present. If the virus proteins are present, this will show as a coloured line on the test. This test may be quicker, but we can sacrifice accuracy for immediate results.
You may wonder when to take a COVID-19 test, and that should be when you've been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 or you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. If you have been in contact with someone, but you have either vaccinated yourself (and have not shown any symptoms of COVID-19) it is non-applicable to you. If you wish to test yourself, it is highly recommended to take the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) and isolate yourself right after. This test is considered to be the "gold standard" for diagnosing COVID-19.
It is important to do more intensive research regarding the best test for you. Make sure to talk to your appointed doctor or family member who has previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. Make sure you take precautions and follow the rules closely when taking the test. Stay safe and stay healthy!
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