DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VARIOUS TESTS FOR COVID-19

The well-known form of the COVID 19 test is the antibody test. Experts also call it a serological test. They use it to find out if the antibodies are present in your body or not. In this method, they use blood samples to detect antibodies in your system. 

This process also helps them find out how many antibodies your immune system can produce. You can call it an indirect method of testing for this disease as it cannot detect the virus but decide if your immune system has faced it or not. Generally, the immune system produces antibodies within 9 to 28 days of getting the infection.            

Lateral flow assay tests

Various firms all over the world, are now trying to promote methods of Corona test that can offer rapid results. It differs totally from the most prominent kinds of tests that people know about in this context. It is a lateral flow assay that can offer a result within 5 to 15 minutes of the test. 

These companies also say that these tests would cost less, and even untrained individuals could administer them. These quick-response tests also have a wide range of applications such as:

· urine

· sweat

· blood

· serum

· saliva

· other fluids

RT-PCR tests

The term RT-PCR stands for a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. It differs from a Coronavirus antibody test. Here the doctors take a throat or nasal swab from you. In this kind, they extract the RNA (ribonucleic acid) or the genetic material that makes up the virus. 

If they found the same genetic sequence as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the doctors consider it to be a positive result. SARS stands for the severe acute respiratory syndrome. However, if the virus is not there in the sample, you would get a negative result. Please note that you could also get a negative test if they perform it improperly.

Antibody tests for IgM antibodies

You have variety in COVID 19 antibody test too. There are two major kinds of antibody tests for the infection – IgM (immunoglobulin M) test and IgG (immunoglobulin G) test. The IgM test detects synonymous antibodies. Your immune system first produces these antibodies when the virus attacks it. 

If you have a positive IgM test, it means that you have contracted the infection, and it also shows that your immune system has started fighting the disease. A positive test result could also show that you had recently suffered from the disease.

Antibody tests for IgG antibodies

It is COVID 19 test too. Your immune system usually develops these antibodies within the first 7 to 10 days of getting the infection. These antibodies stay in your blood even after you have recovered from the disease. 

They show that you had suffered from the disease of late and so your immune system developed antibodies that can keep you safe from further infection. However, doctors and health experts do not yet know how effective these antibodies would be in stopping you from getting that infection again.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS AND STAFF SAFE DURING COVID-19?

 As an employer and business owner, there are several steps that you can take to protect your staff and your business in the current Covid-19 era. You can arrange for a regular COVID antibody test in Mumbai. You must also examine the policies you have in your organization for leave, employee protection, and telework. Your leave policy should be non-punitive and flexible. If any of your employees are sick, permit them to stay at home and thus stay away from others working in your organization. You should also have a definite leave policy for employees who have to stay at home with their kids or ill family members.

Some simple ways of preventing the spread of Covid-19 at your workplace

The most obvious step here is the regular Corona antibody test in Mumbai. Apart from that, you can follow some simple steps. Make sure that your workplaces are always hygienic and clean. Always ask and encourage your employees, customers, and contractors to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly. Ensure good respiratory hygiene at your business premises. Always ask your contractors and employees to get advice from national travel bodies before they embark on business trips. Ask people to stay at home if they have developed even the mildest symptoms of the disease. 

Protecting the vulnerable people in your workplace

COVID antibody test in Mumbai will obviously play an important role here. If you have people, who are especially vulnerable to such a disease working for you, you must make them work from home if possible. If you cannot do so you should at least make alternate arrangements for them so you can give them the maximum protection while working for you. This especially includes older people, have a weak immune system, or suffer from respiratory illnesses.

Informing employees of all the assistance that they can get from you

Apart from necessary steps like the Antibody test in Mumbai, also inform your employees of all the help that you can provide them. If you have any information about how they can protect themselves from the virus at home and at work, you must share it with them.

Identifying critical parts of your business

You must have a clear idea of the inputs that are critical for your business such as suppliers, raw materials, logistics, and products and services from various subcontractors that you need to keep the business operational in these uncertain times.

Managing and containing the risk of Covid-19 for business events and meetings

COVID antibody test in Mumbai is very important in these cases. However, apart from that, you have to be careful at various stages of the meeting or event. Before you start the event, check what the authorities have advised regarding the location where you are planning to organize the event. Follow what the authorities have to say. Develop a plan to prevent infection at the event. Have a plan ready in case someone develops symptoms of the disease during the event.

During the event, you should provide information - oral or written - about the measures you are taking to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.  

CREATE SAFE WORKSPACE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS WITH CORPORATE COVID 19 TEST

Since the COVID 19 outbreak has taken all over the place, people are staying in to protect themselves. Most of the workspaces all around the world have initiated 'work from home' to make sure the workflow does not discontinue. However, it does not happen in every sector.

Even some corporate sectors practice technology and work processes that require the employees to stay in the office during the working hours. Therefore, ensuring the safety of the employees from getting affected by coronavirus becomes a mandatory protocol for the business owners.

Recently, as a preventive measure, the private laboratories across India have started rapid antibody testing as a part of Corporate Coronavirus Testing program. Initial reports suggest that almost 8% of the people tested 'positive' for the antibodies against coronavirus.

Antibody Test - the “Immunity Passport”

That is what some of the European countries are suggesting lately. Tests are beneficial for those who wish to go back to their workplace, as soon as possible without getting affected. 

Antibody Testing for Corporate Organizations is more like a surveillance tool to understand how many of the employees or staff have got direct COVID-19 exposure.

This test requires a blood sample to check out whether any of them have developed antibodies against the virus in their body or not. Usually, the IgM antibodies take two weeks to produce in the body, that helps the person to survive, despite having all the symptoms active. 

So basically, Antibody Testing for Staff detects whether any employee got exposed to the virus or not, along with their immunity check. It is like the ‘immunity passport’ to those who want to get back their work life as soon as possible.

Are Corporate Sectors Welcoming this Move?

Since ICMR has declared the importance of this test in recent times, it gladly welcomed by the corporate sectors. Almost 1000 coronavirus testing labs are there, and among those, 730 is in the public sector. 

In all these labs, Antibody Testing for Employees gets the maximum number of queries as the country is trying hard to bring the pace in the economic wheel. Corporate sectors are responding the way they were supposed to react.

Some of the most popular private laboratories in India are offering great packages for Corporate COVID 19 Testing, and that has made the sectors keener on letting their employees get it done before they rejoin. That is how they are fighting both the battle - the pandemic and the uninterrupted workforce inside the office corridors.

Conclusion

It is high time to act before it is too late. If one of your employees gets the direct exposure of the virus, and he/she blends in the office environment during the incubation period, you may have to shut down your office once again. Do not let this happen. Maintaining the safety of the employees through antibody testing is the only way out to secure your office just like you did.

WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS WEAR A FACE MASK DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Since the outbreak of COVID 19 has taken over the world, one preventive measure has got importance from the very first day, and that is wearing a mask. 

However, unfortunately, a lot of people are still skeptical about wearing a mask. Some are confused about the question that will the face mask going to save them or save others?

As the number of COVID Test in India is growing day by day and the positive cases, in a few states, are still at rising, maybe it is time to scrutinize the effectiveness of face mask all over again.

Importance of Wearing Face Masks

l The use of face masks recommended to the fullest after the increase in positive cases post COVID-19 test, as masks work as the physical barrier in protecting you and the others from spreading or inhaling viral particulates.

l Face masks ensure respiratory protection by reducing the viral droplet deposit on your face surface and let it out through air to the nearest person.

l The details opted from the people during the Corona test have proven the fact that they got infected by someone less than 6-feet away from them. So, every breath of an infected person can send the virus up to 6 feet away inside a room. And, face masks can cut down the spreading up to 95%.

l On the other hand, if you are not infected and touch a contaminated place followed by your face or nose right away, you will soon get infected. Wearing a face mask prevents that instant transmission as your hands will not be able to touch your face or nose in any way.

Guidelines for Face Masks and the Recent Changes

Face Masks From day one, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), along with the World Health Organization (WHO), has told the public to wear masks. Initially, it was for just the people who were affected. However, things got out of hands, especially in Asian countries, where the practice of wearing masks was much common.

Till a few days back, N95 masks are considered as the best choices. But the increased demand for N95 Masks and supply shortages has left the CDC to bring some changes in the guidelines.

Extensive Corona testing has brought out more cases every day, and that's why CDC has now recommended that not only the sick people but the general public should also wear it when they're out. The homemade cloth masks will be enough for them.

As per the experts, these homemade masks may not protect someone from falling sick but will help the spread of the diseases from the carrier. So, face masks are a must-have right now as a preventive measure for both symptomatic and asymptomatic people.

Final Words

To round up, if you have tested positive after the test for COVID 19, or started showing some flu-like symptoms, you should certainly wear a face mask while out in public. It may protect others from you once infected and reduce the spread. 

On the other hand, you should follow the CDC guidelines and get your face mask to protect yourself until the vaccine is out there. It is going to be your lifesaver.