COVID-19 RAPID ANTIBODY TEST NEAR ME
RAPID ANTIBODY TEST NOW AVAILABLE IN ORANGE COUNTY AS OF 2/17/21
Xpress Urgent Care has been on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Our mission has always been to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County and to keep our patients and their families safe. Learn more about the COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Test Near Me.
While the fight isn’t over yet, through the use of reliable COVID-19 testing, we’ve been able to help identify existing infections (via our PCR testing and rapid COVID-19 testing) and past infections (via our antibody testing).
We aren’t stopping there, though, which is why we’re now giving patients the opportunity to get a COVID-19 rapid antibody test near me at all of our 4 urgent care locations!
What is The COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Test?
These new tests — called the IgG/IgM rapid antibody blood test from Premier Biotech — are unique in that they can detect BOTH existing and past COVID-19 infections, all in the same blood test.
The IgG/IGM rapid antibody blood test utilizes what’s called ‘lateral flow technology’. This means it can detect the presence of a target substance in a blood or other liquid sample without the need for fancy equipment.
What Can This Test Tell Me?
To put it simply, the IgG/IgM rapid antibody blood test will reveal whether or not you have ever had COVID-19, even if you never actually displayed the classic symptoms. This is done by testing your blood for antibodies. If your body has built up antibodies to the virus, that means you had it some point.
How The Test Detects Both Existing & Past COVID-19 Infections
Like the name suggests, the antibody COVID rapid test checks the blood for both IgM and IgG antibodies.
IgM antibodies are typically produced when an individual is currently fighting a COVID-19 infection, while igG antibodies typically appear 1-3 weeks after an infection (according to the CDC).
How is the Rapid Antibody Test Administered?
The IgG/IGM rapid antibody test does not require a nasal swab or any other invasive procedure. The process is quick and yields results within 10 minutes. In other words, you will know whether you are positive or negative within the same visit. Here is how the test is administered:
- Your medical professional will take out the testing materials, which consist of a sterile lancet and a buffer vial, among other tools.
- The medical professional will ensure that the lancet is uncapped
- The medical professional will sterilize your hand thoroughly, either with alcohol or soap and water.
- Once your hands have dried, the medical professional will prepare the puncture site with an alcohol swab. They will then massage the hand toward the fingertips of either your ring finger or middle finger.
- Once the medical professional has located the puncture site, they will probe it with the lancelet to collect an adequate amount of blood. If blood flow is poor, they may apply pressure.
After that, your results will be sent out! You will receive them shortly.
You can see the package insert here.
How to Get a Rapid Antibody Test Near Me
As of [DATE HERE], Xpress Urgent Care will be offering rapid antibody testing at all 4 of our Orange County urgent care clinics.
The test itself has not yet been approved by the FDA, but — like many other COVID-related tests and treatments — it has been granted EUA (emergency use authorization). This means it can be administered to patients who meet certain criteria that may put them at more of a risk for serious COVID-related symptoms.
These risk factors can include being elderly, immunocompromised, or having a comorbidity such as diabetes or heart disease.
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COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Test Near Me – Frequently Asked Questions
The rapid antibody test checks the blood for BOTH IgG (antibodies that are typically produced 1-3 weeks after a COVID-19 infection) and IgM (antibodies that are typically produced when someone is fighting an existing COVID-19 infection).
It is unlike other COVID tests — such as the PCR nasal swab test, the COVID-19 rapid test, and the standard antibody test — in that it can identify both an existing or past infection. The others can only detect one or the other.
The rapid antibody test produces results in just 10 minutes and will be given to you within the same visit.
This allows more patients to be tested in a single day and gives you peace of mind by allowing you to know your results quickly.
No. The rapid antibody test has not been approved by the FDA, but has been given emergency use authorization (EUA); allowing it to be administered to patients who meet certain criteria.
A positive test result could indicate a recent or past COVID-19 infection, as it means either IgM or IgG antibodies were detected in your blood sample.
There is a small possibility that the rapid COVID-19 antibody test can produce a false-positive result. In any case, your doctor will work closely with you to best determine a plan for care based on your medical history, symptoms, and other factors.
If your test results come back negative, this means the antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 were not detected in your blood sample. It’s important to note that the COVID-19 rapid antibody test can produce a false-negative result.
This could be due to you receiving a test too early into a COVID-19 infection, when antibodies have not yet been produced. Your doctor will work with you to come up with the best course of action based on your symptoms, recent exposure, and medical history.
While this test reveals quite a bit about a person’s exposure to COVID-19, the overall accuracy can vary depending on a few circumstances. For example, if you live someplace where the infection rate is either lower than average or where most people do not show symptoms, a single antibody test may not be enough to determine that you have been exposed to the virus, according to the FDA. Your medical provider may have you complete a second test designed to detect a different type of protein.
You can now get a COVID-19 rapid antibody test near me at any of our 4 Xpress Urgent Care locations in Orange County. Each of our clinics are open 7 days a week, and are conveniently located in Stanton, Tustin, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa.