COVID antibody test available at Chopo

[roberb7]

Has anyone here had any experience with this? Or an opinion on whether this test is worth doing?

[doncoulter]

I don't have experience with Chopo's test, or any Covid test. But there are a few things I can say about this:

--First, an antibody test does not indicate whether one is currently infected with Covid. It only indicates whether one has had Covid at some unknown point in the past. A positive antibody result means that one might be protected from further infection. Then again, one might not be. So I don't see the point.

--Second, since the antibody test says nothing about current infection, it is not accepted under the recently announced rules for airline travel to the United States. The only accepted tests are PCR and antigen tests, the latter often known as the "rapid" test. I believe Canada is even stricter, accepting the PCR test only.

--Third, if you're interested in air travel, testing is supposedly now available at BJX. The PCR test costs 1,450 pesos, the antigen test 450 pesos -- and apparently both are "rapid," with results available in an hour or so. It's recommended to arrive at least an hour before one's flight.

--Finally, many local pharmacies and labs now have one or more of the tests. In addition to the antibody test, Chopo has the PCR test, for 3,599 pesos. LAPCIC also has the PCR, for 3,900 pesos, and the Similares lab has it for 2,400 pesos (probably with slower results). I've read that Farmacia Santa Fe, off Plaza de la Paz, has the antigen test for 750 pesos, with results in just 15 minutes. Salud Digna advertises the PCR test in Mexico City for only 950 pesos; I don't know whether its León branch has the same offer.

--All the above info is based on notes I've taken over the past week or so, from various sources. Some of the details may have changed.

[jesm]

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[roberb7]

First, an antibody test does not indicate whether one is currently infected with Covid. It only indicates whether one has had Covid at some unknown point in the past. A positive antibody result means that one might be protected from further infection. Then again, one might not be. So I don't see the point.

I ran this question by my niece, Dr. Darcy Broughton, and got about the same answer: a positive test doesn't mean you can't possibly get COVID again.