Antigen and Antibody Testing

Antigen and antibody tests are tools used to detect infections. An antigen test identifies specific proteins from a virus or bacteria in a sample, indicating an active infection—often providing quick results. An antibody test detects antibodies, which are proteins your immune system produces in response to an infection or vaccine, showing if you've been exposed or possibly developed immunity. While antigen tests are useful for early detection, antibody tests help understand past exposure. Both tests are valuable for managing public health and individual diagnosis, with their accuracy influenced by timing and testing methods.