New. Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tests
If you are going back to work, we are here for you, your loved one, your colleagues and businesses to make your place safe.
We offer two options
The Antibody Test.
This is a blood test which will tell you if you have had the virus and developed antibodies.
You can either have your blood sample taken at our clinic in Harley Street or we can send you a home delivery self-test kit with instructions how to take your blood sample and how to return it to the laboratory. £150.00.
Or
The Virus Test.
This is a nasal/throat swab test which will tell you if you currently have an active infection. This is a home delivery self-test kit only and comes with instructions how to take your sample and how to return it to the laboratory. £150.00.
Results within 24 hours of having your blood drawn at our clinic in Harley Street or Blackheath or receipt of your sample by the laboratory if you choose the home delivery kit.
The Antibody Test can tell you if you have previously been infected with the virus. Most patients who recover from Coronavirus (Covid-19) have been found to produce antibodies.
If you had symptoms, the test should be carried out 14 days or more after you became aware of them. But you may not have had symptoms and some people have only very mild symptoms. The test will tell you if you had the virus even if you didn’t have symptoms.
The incubation period of Covid-19 ranges from 1 to 14 days, with most people showing symptoms at 3 to 5 days. The most common symptoms are fever, tiredness, a dry cough and difficulty breathing.
Your immune system reacts to the infection by producing antibodies from a few days to 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Specific IgG antibodies are produced in the later stages of infection and are detectable after RNA (ribonucleic acid) is no longer detectable.
This persistence of IgG antibodies allows identification of people who have been infected by Covid-19. But as the virus is so new it is not yet known if a person with a positive result will be protected from future infection or how long protective immunity may last.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the tests?
The antibody test can be done either at our clinic or we can send you a home delivery self-test kit. If you choose to come to the clinic one of our nurses or healthcare assistants will take a blood sample from you in the usual way. We have introduced extensive safety measures to protect our patients, doctors and team from the virus.
What does a positive result mean?
The antibody test will tell you if you have had the virus and, given what the medical profession currently knows, it is likely that you will enjoy a degree of immunity from future infection. The active virus test will tell you if you have a current active Coronavirus (Covid-19) infection.
What does a negative result mean?
You will know that either you have not had the virus or that your antibody levels are not high enough to be detected.
Will this test tell me if I have Coronavirus (Covid-19)?
The active virus test will tell you if you currently have the virus. The antibody test will not tell you if you have an active infection at the time of the test. It is important to have the test 14 days or more after you became aware of symptoms, to minimise the risk of a false-negative result.
How accurate is the antibody test?
Sensitivity 100%
Specificity 97.5%
If I have antibodies does it mean that I am immune?
Scientists believe that the presence of antibodies provides a degree of immunity from infection, but they do not currently know for certain that you will be immune or if you are how long this immunity will last.
How long will it take to get my results?
Results are usually available within 24 hours after we take your blood at our clinic or receipt of your home delivery kit blood sample by the laboratory.
How will my results be delivered to me?
If you have decided to have a telephone consultation to explain and discuss your results with one of our doctors, he/she will give you your results during this telephone consultation.
If you have decided not to have a telephone consultation, we will email your results to you.
Can I have the test if I have Coronavirus (Covid-19) Symptoms?
Yes, you should have the active virus Test. Alternatively, you should wait at least 14 days after the symptoms stop before having this test. We ask all patients about symptoms before confirming an appointment at the clinic to maximise safety for other patients, our doctors and team and will not permit you to come to the clinic if you have symptoms.
Can I do the test at home?
Yes, we can arrange for home delivery test kits to be sent to you. You can also come into the clinic, but only for the antibody test.
Is it safe to come to the clinic?
We have taken extensive measures to maximise safety.