COVID-19 Rapid Test (IgG Rapid Test)

· Those looking for quick and convenient COVID-19 testing in Tokyo.
· Those with symptoms and wish to screen for COVID-19.
· Those with travel history to affected countries of COVID-19.
· Those with possible close contact with the infected persons.
· Those who want to undergo early screening to proceed with treatment or prevent the disease.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The virus has the ability to spread during close contact by small droplets produced when the infected person(s) cough, sneeze or talk. A contaminated surface touched can lead to the infection as hands could accidentally transfer the virus to the face. Coronavirus can remain and survive on surfaces for up to 72 hours, and the first 3 days after symptoms appear are the most contagious period, although there is also a possibility of spreading before seeing the symptoms as well as in the later stages of the disease.

Potential COVID-19 infected individuals will present symptoms like:

· Fever
· Cough
· Runny nose
· Sore throat
· Tiredness
· Difficulty breathing
· Chest pain
· Loss of sense for taste and smell

Rapid Test Kits or also known as finger prick tests are used to test COVID-19 at our affiliated clinic. Your blood will taken as sample and results can be known almost instantaneously.

The kits are known to be qualitative immunochromatographic assay designed to detect specific IgM and IgG of Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) in your humoral fluid. In this case, IgG in your humoral fluid will be inspected.

Ig stands for Immunoglobins of what we know as antibodies play critical role in the immune response by specifically recognize and bind to particular antigens like viruses or bacteria to aid in their destruction.

There are a different kinds of immunoglobins present in our bodies, but the ones that will be detected in this test are IgG.

<IgG>
It is the most abundant type of antibody found in your body fluids. Its main function is to aid in body protection against bacterial and viral infections.

<Positive IgG>
This indicates that the person has either passed the infection or in its last phase

Results can be known within 1 day after taking the test. Make appointment and have yourself tested at our affiliated clinic. You will be assisted by our affiliated staff nurse or a doctor upon your arrival.

<Advantages>
· Fast and accurate procedure
· Safe and no risk in exposure
· Detects antibodies in the blood
· Results can be obtained the very next day

<Limitations>
· Rapid testing may have a limited role in diagnosis
· Any close contact who tested negative using this test would have to redo the procedure after a period of time

Q1: Is the test accurate?
A1: It is said that IgG /IgM Rapid test has an accuracy percentage of around 96% to 98%.

Q2: Will the test be painful?
A2: Only a small sample of blood is needed using a small device. It is not painful and can be done quickly.

Q3: Why can't rapid test be used as sole basis for diagnosis?
A3: Rapid tests are antibody tests to check if the patient has developed immunity to the coronavirus. But according to experts, these tests have a limited role in diagnosis as it takes the body four days or longer after infection to produce antibodies, which means it's too long for quick detection and contact tracing. That is why the results need to be interpreted together with clinical examination and confirmed with supplemental testing.

Q4: How soon can the results come out?
A4: You will be informed of the results within 24 hrs.

[Clinic Name] Shinbashi Aoki Clinic
[Location] Tokyo
[Nearest Station/ Nearest Tourist Destination] Walking distance to world-class hospitals, supermarkets, ferry terminal, bus station, train station.
[Clinic Opening Time] Monday - Friday (9:00AM - 1:00PM); (2:00PM - 6:00PM); Saturday (9:00AM - 1:00PM); Sunday, Public Holidays, 30/12 til 1/1 (Closed)