Serological tests allow to know if one has been infected, or not, by the coronavirus, thanks to the research of antibodies.
A difference-in-difference tests virological currently being practiced in the population, the serological tests do not look for the presence of virus in the body. They detect immunoglobulins that have been produced to cope with an infection in Sars-Cov-2.
Their big advantage therefore, is to define if it has been or not in contact with the virus, even without having developed symptoms.
Blood
When the virologic test consists of taking a sample of cells of the nose, the different serological tests available are based on a blood test and are carried out in a laboratory bioassay. The antibodies are then searched and the results communicated within 24 hours.
Self-tests exist, but have not received the approval of the High authority of health, because of their lack of reliability.
Support
On Tuesday, the minister of Health Olivier Veran has announced that the personal carers, whether they are in the establishment hospitalie, in long-term care Facility, in a medico-social establishment or in the city, will be eligible for a medical prescription to carry out a serological test.
It is not yet a question of an extension of this possibility to the general public. Some of the laboratories currently offer serological testing, but they are not reimbursed – count between 20 and 50€.
The uncertainties on the immunity
These tests are they provided a kind of passport “immunity” ? No, in particular, fulfils the High authority of health : these serological tests do not allow it to know if it is contagious and
In an opinion rendered on may 18, HAS emphasized the uncertainty that still exists on the immunity, or not, and for how long, a body that has been previously infected with Sars-Cov-2.
Author(s): FranceSoir
