New test shows how severe COVID-19 will be for someone

A new nasal swab test could predict how severe COVID-19 will be for a person.

A study by Emory University found that by using nasal swabs, researchers could see which people developed COVID-19 antibodies and which people did not.  With this test, doctors may be able to develop more effective treatments for people at risk for severe COVID-19.

The University says that for high-risk individuals, this could provide critical information to inform immediate treatment options, including quickly taking medications like Paxlovid within one week of symptoms to mitigate a severe response.

The findings suggest that the presence of autoantibodies in the nose can play a protective role and help regulate the immune system to prevent excessive inflammation and fight off the virus more effectively.

You can read a full breakdown of the research by clicking right here.