What is the Coronavirus?

Due to the expansion of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 in more than 150 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared it a pandemic last March. While many experts search for a cure or vaccine for this disease, current efforts have focused on declaring mandatory social isolation, putting the world economy on hold.

In addition, the early detection of positive cases is sought, in order to isolate them and initiate appropriate treatment, seeking to save the greatest number of lives.

Today, there are two methods that allow us to confirm if a person is infected with COVID-19 , rapid and molecular tests , each with its own characteristics and advantages.

What is the Coronavirus or COVID-19?

COVID-19 stands for new coronavirus of 2019 , and it is a respiratory infection caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The term "new coronavirus" simply means that it is a new type of coronavirus. 

A coronavirus is a type of virus that has corona-shaped spikes around it. That is why it has the word "crown."

The name was determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020. Before this, SARS-CoV-2 had not been detected before in humans.

The first human cases with coronavirus infections appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Healthcare workers noticed a pattern of illness they had never seen before in the population.

Common symptoms included fever, body aches, tiredness, and shortness of breath, caused by pneumonia (lung infection). Since then, the virus and the disease it causes have spread around the world and have been classified by WHO as a global pandemic.

What are rapid tests?

Unlike molecular tests, serological tests, or also known as rapid, can identify people who have become infected and have recovered.

Antibody tests, or serological tests, instead of looking for the virus itself, detect antibodies or proteins in the blood that our bodies develop to fight it. These tests tell you that you have been exposed to the virus. They provide a history of the infection.

How is the serological test administered?

Serological tests are based on the detection of antibodies in a blood sample, usually obtained through a simple finger prick. These tests do not require special equipment to process the results, allowing them to be used in laboratories or at point of care.

How do the rapid tests work?

When you are exposed to the virus, your body develops antibodies, a process that can take from several days to more than a week. Antibodies are proteins that your body produces when it generates a response against invading germs.

The presence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies indicates recent exposure to COVID-19, while the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies indicates a later stage infection. Rapid response serologic tests often use a technique called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which detects the presence of these antibodies to coronavirus.

Many tests measure IgM and IgG, but other antibodies, including IgA, IgD, and IgE, are part of the immune response. Some tests collectively measure IgM, IgG, and IgA, which are referred to by laboratory tests as total antibodies (Ab).

How long does it take to get results from serological tests?

Serological tests are usually much faster than standard molecular tests. Within 15 minutes you will be able to know if you need to receive treatment against COVID-19 , being up to 10 times faster than a traditional test.

How accurate are serological tests?

Since it can take several days or weeks for the body to develop an antibody response to the virus, serological tests may not be helpful in identifying a current infection alone. They can make you think you don't have an infection when you actually do.

However, they can identify people who have had the infection and have recovered.

That said, it is highly recommended to use them in places where it is necessary to have a clear and rapid picture of the progression of the disease due to the large number of positive cases. In addition, they are less expensive and if they are made by a specialist, who determines the right time to apply them, you can have a quick and accurate result.

  we have more than 25 years of recognized experience in Genetics, Disease Diagnosis and Research and Oncology, we guarantee safe, reliable and confidential results. Year after year, our laboratory is subjected to several international evaluations that guarantee the quality of its results.

In addition to our headquarters in Lima, we have branches and representatives throughout Peru.  If you want information about rapid and molecular tests to detect Coronavirus, which we put at your disposal, write to us at the contact form.