Coronavirus Antibody Testing at AFC Urgent Care in San Diego, CA

Visit Us for Serology (Antibody) Testing for COVID-19. Call Us, Walk in, or Reserve Your Spot Online! We are Located at 8590 Rio San Diego Drive Suite 111, San Diego CA 92108.

Frequently Asked Questions at Walk-in & Urgent Care Clinic in San Diego, CA

It makes total sense if you have a million questions that you want answering concerning the current COVID-19 pandemic. Officials are releasing new information daily, but there is so much we still do not know about the current strain of the coronavirus, which has caused so much upheaval in everyone's lives the world over. Here at AFC Urgent Care, we understand the confusion and anxiety you might experience at this time. As such, we will do our best to answer any of your questions concerning COVID-19 thoroughly as much as is possible.

Can coronavirus be detected in bloodwork?

Blood work can detect whether a person has become infected with the coronavirus or not by showing whether the individual's blood has antibodies in them, that is, the specific proteins that the immune system produces in response to being infected with the coronavirus. This kind of test is known as either the serology test or the antibody test. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently evaluating the performance of these tests to determine where they can provide the best service. Still, they are approved for use in the U.S., and are available through healthcare providers, like AFC Urgent Care, as well as commercial laboratories. Currently, antibody tests are not as useful in detecting early cases of COVID-19 as the standard testing kit, but they are essential for helping providers understand the spread of infection.

What test is used to diagnose someone with the coronavirus?

The standard test that providers use to diagnose individuals with the coronavirus is the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test, also known as nucleic acid-based testing or molecular testing. Rather than testing for the presence of antibodies, PCR tests look for the presence of an antigen, which is the actual toxin that causes the virus. This test takes nasopharyngeal swabs from the back of the nose and throat, collecting nasal samples from each location.

Are all COVID-19 detection kits the same?

The two dominant COVID-19 detection kits are the polymerise chain reaction test and the serology (antibody) test. These two tests look for different things in different substances. The PCR test looks for the presence of an antigen from nasal secretions in the nose and throat, while the serology test looks for the existence of antibodies in the blood. In addition to these two testing kits, some alternative kits have yet to be approved. These alternative testing kits include a lateral flow assay detection kit and a rapid in-clinic antigen testing kit.

What are serology tests used for during the coronavirus pandemic?

Outside of being used to diagnose COVID-19, serology tests can be beneficial in a few different ways during the current coronavirus pandemic. For example, they can help identify individuals who have fully recovered from COVID-19, who are then candidates for blood transfusion to patients that are critically ill from the virus. Serology tests can also help provide valuable data for vaccine development, as well as information regarding the scope of the virus in specific populations and the risk of infection in those areas. They can also help inform government officials on how to best proceed with the easing of social distancing restrictions, according to how vulnerable or resistant the given population is to the coronavirus.

If you need a COVID-19 test or would like some questions about the current pandemic answered, we would be happy to help you out with either service at AFC Urgent Care in San Diego, CA! You can give us a call, or you can schedule an appointment through our website. AFC Urgent Care San Diego is located at 8590 Rio San Diego Drive Suite 111, San Diego CA 92108.