Coronavirus antibody test from Biedronka – how does it work? We checked

From March 15, customers of Biedronka stores can buy a serological test that will detect whether there are antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in our body. The test is not complicated and waiting for the result takes 10 minutes. The editors of MedTvoiLokony checked the whole procedure in practice.

1. The test available in Biedronka detects IgG and IgM that fight the coronavirus. Therefore, it is not a test that will confirm the presence of the coronavirus itself
2. The test is not complicated, the instruction is simple and clear. The most important thing is to ensure good blood circulation before performing the test, because a few large drops are needed to perform the test.
3. We get the result after 10 minutes of waiting. It is worth remembering that regardless of the result of the test, any doubts should be clarified with a doctor
4. You can find more such stories on the Onet homepage.

Biedronka antibody test – what is it?

From Monday, March 15, tests for COVID-19 can be purchased in Biedronka stores. The test is a certified product of the Swiss laboratory PRIMA Lab, intended for home use. The manufacturer ensures that it is 98% effective.

The Biedronka coronavirus test is an immunological test. The Primacovid product is used to detect anti-coronavirus antibodies (IgG and IgM), but does not inform about the presence of the virus itself in our body.

MedTvoiLokony editors have tested the serological test from Biedronka. Below you will find a description of the study.

Biedronka test – what does it contain?

On Monday morning it was rather lazy in Biedronka near Warsaw. Few of the customers, except the undersigned, were interested in the tests. So Promacovid was easily acquired. The test is bought at the checkout and costs PLN 49,99.

What’s in the box?

1. instruction,
2. a cassette with a COVID-19 antibody test, closed in an aluminum bag,
3. bag with an antiseptic pad,
4. a vial with a dropper containing a diluent needed for the “COVID-19 IgG / IgM Rapid Test”,
5. blood collection pipette,
6. two sterile lancets for blood collection.

The manual is written in simple and understandable language. The procedure is written into nine points, and there are as many illustrations attached to it. The possible test results are also described in detail, the manual leaves no room for any ambiguities.

1. A doctor about COVID-19 antibody tests from Biedronka: they won’t tell us much

What is very important, at the beginning of the manual it is underlined that “These tests detect the body’s immune response to exposure to the virus, but not the virus itself”.

The serological test from Biedronka will not answer the question whether we are infected, nor will it guarantee that we are free from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. «These tests are not conclusive for the diagnosis of the current infection, because the lack of antibodies does not exclude the possibility of an early stage of infection despite a negative result in the serological test.»- we read in the manual.

Let us emphasize once again what the doctors also say. This test explains nothing 100%. All our doubts and suspicions should be consulted with a doctor

Biedronka serological test – what does the blood test look like?

First, information – you don’t need to fast. The serological test from Biedronka detects only antibodies, not other parameters, so e.g. the level of glucose in our blood is irrelevant in this case. Perhaps it is obvious to many, but it is worth mentioning it clearly.

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Before taking the test, you need to wash your hands with soap and warm water. After drying, it is worth rubbing the finger from the palm towards the fingertip to improve the blood flow. It is very important. Unlike, for example, blood glucose meters, a drop of blood is not enough. A few solid drops of blood are needed to fill the pipette to the correct level. The instructions recommend that you use your ring finger to collect blood, although it may also be your middle finger.

It’s a good idea to prepare everything before pricking your finger. Take the test out of the white package and put it on a stable surface. Take the pipette out of the transparent package. At this point, it is worthwhile to massage the finger again – long and solidly – in order to improve circulation, so as not to frantically squeeze the blood to fill the pipette. It is emphasized by a diabetic with a long history.

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Take the blue cap off the pink lancing device – turn it 360 degrees and pull it out. We put the lancing device to the finger with the side we just opened. You do not need to press anything on the lancing device itself, the needle will prick you after you press the lancing device firmly against your finger.

When the blood begins to flow, put the pipette to the drop and wait for the blood to fill it up to the black line. Do not press on the tip of the pipette at this point. Blood games will collect the right amount, put it in the round hole on the test (denote with the letter “S”), squeezing the tip of the pipette.

When our blood fills the hole, twist the blue cap from the dropper vial and squeeze out two drops of the diluent at an interval of 5 seconds. We wait 10 minutes for the test result.

Test result – what to do?

My result turned out to be negative. Only the line next to the letter “C” (Control) has become colored. Both the dash for IgG (letter “G”) and IgM (“M”) remained unstained.

What does it mean? As the creators of the test emphasize in the instructions, a negative result does not give a 100% guarantee that we have no antibodies, i.e. we have not had contact with COVID-19. Perhaps their concentration is too low to be detected. If we have had any symptoms suggesting coronavirus infection, we must contact a doctor.

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Similarly, in the case of a positive result – a positive result in any configuration (only IgM, only IgG or both indicators) means that we should report it to the doctor as soon as possible. A positive serological test result does not guarantee that we have a protective level of antibodies.

Find out if you have contracted the coronavirus by taking the COVID-19 Ag SGTi-flex Home Cassette Test available from Medonet Market. To check the level of antibodies and at the same time assess the level of vitamin D in the body, buy the immune pack – COVID-19 antibodies + vitamin D.

Also read:

1. Young and obese. They are the ones who most often find covid units
2. These people do not need to wear a mask. The ministry expanded the list
3. Niedzielski: peak incidence at the turn of March and April. Let’s stay at home on Easter

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