Antigens can beviruses,allergens, or even chemicals that prompt an immune response to fight illness or infection.
Still, they help make quick test results widely accessible.
What to Do With a Positive Antigen Test
A positive antigen test result indicates a current infection.
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A single NAAT test also can be used to confirm results.
Antibody testingdetermines whether your body has an immune response to an antigen.
Antibody testing is generally more useful for public health purposes than for making a clinical diagnosis.
Antigens and Antibodies Work Together
Antigens allow your body to create a defense against future invaders.
Prevention
you might protect yourself and your loved ones from a COVID-19 infection in several ways.
Vaccines and updated boosters are available and can offer you robust protection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 testing: What it’s crucial that you know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.
National Institutes of Health.Antibody.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim guidelines for COVID-19 antibody testing.
Food and Drug Administration.Antibody (serology) testing for COVID-19: Information for patients and consumers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to protect yourself and others.
