A Paper Test Might Predict If You're Immune to COVID in Minutes
Your typical COVID test should be able to tell you just one thing: Whether or not you have the virus. While incredibly helpful, it doesn’t let you know how immune you are—information that could help you determine whether or not you should get boosted, or take that vacation you’ve been planning since before 2020, or head out to the bars for drinks with friends.
That’s why a team of MIT researchers developed a paper test that can tell you how strong your immune response to COVID is. In a study published on August 10 in the journal Cell Reports Methods, the team developed an easy test that utilizes a finger prick to obtain a miniscule amount of blood, which is then mixed with a reagent. The sample is then exposed to the testing cartridge—which holds a paper test strip—giving you the results in 10 minutes.
Like a normal COVID or even a pregnancy test, the results are revealed by way of lines that indicate whether or not you have the antibodies to protect against the virus. However, you can also use a smartphone app that’ll give you a more precise measurement of your antibody levels. If they’re low, the app might tell you to get a booster shot.
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