two more covid related questions

[MarkY]

This is incorrect - antigens are parts of the virus - you have them in your body as soon as you are infected. Antigen tests are less sensitive than PCR because PCR's trick is that it multiplies the amount of viral DNA it starts with making it easier to detect. Because antigen tests are less sensitive they *might* miss the virus early or late in the infection when there's less virus present. Your body produces antibodies which attach to antigens so yes, those come later but that is a different test which is relatively rare at this point.

Jamaica and United States are accepting antigen or PCR tests for travel - both test for virus. Antigen tests are faster and cheaper than PCR but less sensitive. Neither Jamaica nor United States accepts antibody tests but nobody will offer those to you when you ask to be tested for covid.

[Rob]

MarkY,

Thank you so much for the correction. After reading all the various source jargon I got the Antibody and Antigen tests confused. Thanks man!

But for those who have either one or two vaccine shots, or if you have had Covid but are Covid free now, please bring down full copies of all your documentation. That was the only way a person we know was able to leave after a positive test. The government is accepting the documentation.

[wrtiii]

MarkY is correct - an antigen is something that will provoke an immune system response, an antibody is the response. The easy way to know what you're getting is that an antibody test involves drawing blood. Vaccination does cause your body to begin producing antibodies without the actual presence of the virus; a positive antibody test could mean either you've been vaccinated or that you have had (and may well have recovered from) the virus.

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consum...testing-basics