Australian researchers at Monash Univesity and Alfred Health have created a test that will show your immunity to COVID-19, as reported by AAP.
The test indicates whether a person is still infectious or not and can even indicate the severity of the virus should you get it.
Much like the test for influenza, this one looks at immune system cells, which make antibodies to fight things like viruses. Once you’ve had a virus or pathogen (or a vaccination!), your cells remember this for next time and are able to fight it off quicker.
If there happens to be a large number of cells specific to one pathogen, then the likelihood that a person has been infected is pretty high.
Cell samples from Italy, New York and China will arrive shortly (as well as some from COVID-19 patients in Melbourne), to look for differences in the blood that indicate a severe versus mild infection.
This will hopefully allow healthcare workers to predict who will need early treatment.
“This and other tests like it will provide us with a more nuanced approach to managing the disease,” lead researcher Associate Professor Menno van Zelm, from Monash University’s Central Clinical School, said.
The test is expected to be ready in a few months.
The current health crisis is evolving rapidly. If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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