Like Agarwal, an increasing number of Kolkatans are getting their antibodies checked from private labs, some out of curiosity, some due to concern and some just to be sure that they have already been infected. <\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u201cMy symptoms were really mild. In about three to four days, the symptoms were gone and I did not go for a Covid test despite spending almost two weeks on isolation,\u201d said Agawral. A few days ago, he came to know from friends that a Covid antibody (igG) test was being done by a private laboratory.
\u201cI booked an appointment for home collection on Tuesday. I got the report the next day, confirming I am positive to the antibody,\u201d said Agarwal. A rapid antibody test conducted in select areas under KMC as part of ICMR\u2019s project of sero-survey a few months showed about 17% people having developed that antibody, which means they had been infected at some point or the other. But unlike the sero-survery project where it was using rapid test, the antibody check that individuals are undergoing now is the ELISA test.
\u201cWhether this antibody will protect the person from getting infected by the virus again, what is the level of antibody required for that protection and how long will the immunity last are all subject to more studies, assessments and evaluations,\u201d said paediatric intensivist Prabhas Prasun Giri of the Institute of Child Health.
\u201cBut if a person is positive to the antibody, s\/he had been infected at a certain point of time with mild symptoms,\u201d Giri added.
\u201cI have been going out regularly to distribute safety kits, relief material and tree plantations after Amphan. Therefore, it is possible that I have already been exposed. So, I am planning to get my antibody checked with certain things in my mind, like plasma donation,\u201d said Hazra resident Ajay Mittal, an NGO volunteer. <\/div>\n