What Is the ELISA Test, and How Accurate Is It for Detecting Infections? - #15681
My doctor recently recommended that I get an ELISA test, but I don’t fully understand what it is and how it works. I know that it’s commonly used for detecting infections like HIV and autoimmune diseases, but how reliable is it? From what I understand, the ELISA test (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is used to check for antibodies in the blood. But does that mean it only detects past infections, or can it identify active infections as well? Also, how soon after exposure to a virus or disease should someone take the ELISA test to get accurate results? I’m also wondering whether there’s a chance of getting false positives or false negatives with the ELISA test. If the results are unclear, do doctors usually recommend further testing? What are the most common reasons for inaccurate results? Since I prefer natural approaches to immune health, I also started looking into Ayurveda’s perspective on infection prevention. Are there Ayurvedic treatments or herbs that can help strengthen the immune system and improve antibody response? I found that Guduchi, Ashwagandha, and Amla are often used—do these actually help in preventing infections? For those who have had an ELISA test, what was your experience like? How accurate were your results, and did you need follow-up testing? I’d love to hear real experiences about what to expect from this test.
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