Testing Of The Virus

[jennyjoan]

Just curious - when one is tested and tested positively

1. Is that via blood test and

2. How can one help oneself - like following all the rules - will that help.

[tiggerblue10]

Swab tests are for testing if you have the virus.

Blood testing method is to check for antibodies after recovery from the virus.

[woofgang]

Throat and nose swabs I think. And yes following the stay home and self distance rules will help to stop you getting it.

[gingejbee]

I take it jj hasn't watched TV in the last month?

[jennyjoan]

Don't take anything for granted Gingernut - have been watching avidly but enuff is enuff.

Regarding the testing - I did think it was a swab but a relative has said it was a blood test. So it was more or less confirmation. ta ta for your post anyhoo

[Peter Pedant]

and they arent sure if the antibodies you churn out
are markers for - "wont get it again"

which if true wrecks the idea of blood testing

(same think seen in flu and common cold - and actually cholera, typhoid, and so on)

[anneasquith]

Never any harm in asking questions jj, :-)

[NickorWan]

In the case of flu, the antibodies generally work for about 6 - 7 years after which the virus has mutated too much for them to recognise it. Occasionally it mutates a lot more than usual in one year which is when we see an awful lot of people ill. I don't think anybody knows yet whether the antibodies produced for this virus will work at all, let alone for how long.

[tiggerblue10]

Lots of issues regarding the antibody tests at the moment including those who test negative but may have had the virus and were asymptomatic.

Also some have tested negative after having had the virus and had symptoms. It could take ages to develop antibodies.

And then there is the issue where some who had the virus and recovered, started showing symptoms again - in South Korea I think.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-unverified-antibody-tests-risk-spread-of-covid-19-expert-warns-11975040