How to decipher coronavirus antibody test results
'11.02.2021'
Source: Sputnik
What does the test for antibodies to coronavirus say, what should be their number and when they are formed, said immunologist Nikolai Kryuchkov for Sputnik, and also explained whether it is possible to train the immune system in advance to prevent infection.
It is not necessary to specially train immunity, with the exception of vaccination. In fact, vaccination is a kind of training for specific immunity, the specialist explained in the Sputnik radio podcast. No other methods of training, such as taking immunomodulators, immunostimulants, are indicated in most cases. But dousing with cold water, a contrast shower or jogging in the morning is only good for a healthy person.
“The fact is that hardening, for example, or moderate physical activity have a positive effect not only on the immune system, but primarily on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Normally, if a person is healthy, such procedures are fully justified, but should be carried out in moderation and according to certain rules. Rather, the effects on the immune system are not the main thing here, the main thing is on the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems, ”Kryuchkov stressed.
In addition, the specialist explained whether it is necessary to control antibodies after illness or vaccination and what is the mechanism of their formation in the blood. Antibodies from a natural infection process are not equal to those produced by vaccination, he said.
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“When an infection invades the body, nonspecific immunity reacts first, this is the earliest barrier. And in order for a specific immunity to form, time is needed, and quite a decent one - from 4 to 6 weeks. Accordingly, class M immunoglobulins (IgM) and class A immunoglobulins (IgA) appear first, and only after a short period of time mature immunoglobulins G (IgG) appear, ”he commented.
During the period when the disease manifests itself most actively, the body does not have time to form any antibodies, which means that the antibody test will be of little informative. The only verification test in the disease process is the test for the pathogen itself. These are PCR tests, the specialist explained.
“Subsequently, in order to confirm or deny the coronavirus infection and determine whether you need to be vaccinated, you can take an analysis for antibodies to coronavirus and decide whether you were sick or not. If the course is asymptomatic, mild or moderately severe, as a rule, antibodies appear either by the end of the clinical process, when the symptoms have already disappeared, or after they have disappeared, ”said Kryuchkov.
In the process of the disease itself, the diagnostic role of antibodies in the blood is low. So, class M immunoglobulins will appear 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms, class G immunoglobulins after 4 weeks. After vaccination, depending on the drug, the appearance of significant immunoglobulins should be expected no earlier than three weeks later, the specialist added.
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