SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – With all the COVID-19 test options, there may be some confusion on which test to take.
There are three types of tests for COVID-19: the molecular PCR or swab test, the antigen test, and the serology or antibody test.
Michael Drennon, Sarasota Department of Health program manager, says the PCR test is going to give you the most accurate results.
“It has the highest sensitivity and the highest specificity, meaning it’s going to accurately tell us positives and it’s going to accurately tell us negatives,” Drennon said.
This is the diagnostic test FDA has approved because it tests for the actual genetic material of the virus.
“It’s a molecular test, which looks for the RNA, actually looks for the virus in the person,” Drennon said. “So if a person is PCR positive, they’ve got it, there’s no other question there.”
But, Drennon cautions false negatives can occur with the molecular test, as the virus may still be in its early stages of infection.
The next type is the antigen blood test, which looks for proteins of the virus in an individual.
“This test is not to the level of sensitivity that a PCR test is,” Drennon said. “So we may incorrectly identify some negatives that are actually positive.”
And the antibody test is checking the body’s immune response to the virus, looking for the IgG or IgM antibodies. But, Drennon says there are limitations.
”Our body makes IgG and IgM to host of different things, including other coronaviruses,” Drennon said. “So there’s a potential for cross-reactivity or missing the test not accurately identifying the IgG or IgM.”
The turn around time of the antibody tests is what attracts most people. AllSource Screening Solutions is responsible for creating the Healgen Antibody rapid test distributed at Advanced Rejuvenation. It takes about 10 minutes to get results.
I take a test myself to find out just how quick the results are. And turns out, it really is just 10 min. And, my test came back negative, which is a lot faster than the other COVID test I took, where the results came back three weeks later.
President, Peter O’Connor, says through this form of testing, you can chart the virus and its progression in your body.
“If you show just IgM, it’s in that first couple of weeks, IgG is just in that second week on, so I know exactly where that time frame is and how to get over it,” O’Connor said. “If you do a live virus test, you can test now positive, but where is it? You’re not able to chart, it’s just yes or no.”
But, Drennon says the DOH does not feel comfortable relying on this test.
“The recommendation is not to use it as either as a diagnostic test or as a test to say someone can go back to work, you know you’re immune now, we just don’t know enough about it,” Drennon said.
Drennon says, regardless of your test results if you’ve been exposed or are experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, he advises you to take the necessary precautions and quarantine at home for about two weeks.