Read on Twitter
1/ Bored in the house and in the house bored? Same, let's chat about antibody testing. I know you've been hearing comments like these. @Newsy
3/ It's nice to hear some semblance of positive, forward-moving news when it comes to figuring this all out. But we can't leave out important context. Wash those hands and let's inform ourselves. #fightingcovid19 @Newsy
4/ SO OFF THE BAT, antibody tests will NOT tell you if you have covid-19.
They DO tell you if you've been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus OR if you've recovered from covid-19 infection.
@Newsy #fightingcovid19
They DO tell you if you've been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus OR if you've recovered from covid-19 infection.
@Newsy #fightingcovid19
5/ pros according to FDA:
helps tell us who can donate plasma as possible therapy for super sick patients
may tell us if those with antibodies are less susceptible to infection
and IF they are at lower risk, for how long
(bc re-exposure to a virus is a thing!)
helps tell us who can donate plasma as possible therapy for super sick patientsmay tell us if those with antibodies are less susceptible to infectionand IF they are at lower risk, for how long (bc re-exposure to a virus is a thing!)
6/ Cons: ALL of these pros depend on the antibody test being ~accurate~
And right now, more than 90 antibody tests on the market entered w/o prior review from FDA. @washingtonpost reported first, check it
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/19/fda-antibody-tests-coronavirus-review/
And right now, more than 90 antibody tests on the market entered w/o prior review from FDA. @washingtonpost reported first, check it
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/19/fda-antibody-tests-coronavirus-review/
7/ Btw the @US_FDA acknowledges this issue. It said it's working with @NIH and @CDCgov on a 'validation project' to identify the most promising antibody tests. Especially when you got the fakes 
trying to profit off this pandemic. @Newsy #fightingcovid19
trying to profit off this pandemic. @Newsy #fightingcovid19
8/ I asked former FDA Commissioner @DavidAKesslerMD if this is problematic. Here's what he told me. @Newsy #fightingcovid19
9/ So at THIS point antibody tests can give:
- false positives
- false beliefs of immunity
If/when we secure accurate tests, we'll STILL need to find a way to significantly increase antibody testing availability.
@Newsy
- false positives
- false beliefs of immunity
If/when we secure accurate tests, we'll STILL need to find a way to significantly increase antibody testing availability.
@Newsy
10/ Conclusion: If a decision on reopening state economies is based on antibody testing... please keep this thread in mind.
If you made it this far... @Newsy #FightingCOVID19
If you made it this far...
@Newsy #FightingCOVID19
