Travel health tests. A quick and easy London-based service
As the world starts to open back up, many of us have itchy feet for the travels we’ve had to put on pause for the past two years.
With travel often comes health checks, a process which can be frustratingly time consuming. Add to that the extra stress of Covid-19 PCR tests and slower processing times thanks to delays and staff shortages and that much-needed getaway starts to feel more stressful by the minute.
Thankfully, when it comes to the health tests part of the trip, there’s a simpler – and quicker – solution.
Why would I need a blood test before travelling?
When travelling for work, you may need to be able to provide proof of your health status. You may also want a record for your own personal information, or to have in case of travel insurance requirements. In some instances, you may be visiting a country with a high risk of certain diseases, such as malaria, and want reassurance when you return.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to use this service?
No, you do not require a doctor’s referral. We provide one when you have placed an order. This is free of charge and a consultation is not required unless stated on certain tests.
Private blood testing for travel – how does it work?
With our central London service getting your travel blood tests is a very simple process. Once you have booked the right test for you, either online or over the phone, you simply visit out Marylebone walk in clinic where our trained phlebotomists will complete your blood draw and send your sample to our laboratory for processing. Once the test is complete, your results will be emailed to you as a printable PDF. There’s no waiting to see a GP, referrals, or backlogs to deal with. Just a simple, fast, and efficient service to help take some of the stress out of travel preparations.
How long does it take to get the results?
This depends on the test you have chosen. Some are faster than others, but the turnaround times are listed in the test information. If, for any reason, it takes longer for you to receive your results, you will be protected by our Express Results Guarantee, which will refund you if your results are late.
What travel health tests do you offer?
We offer a number of health checks specifically designed to test for the most common health markers associated with travel, both in terms of common parasites and diseases, and also conditions which may put a traveller at greater risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is a concern for those on long-haul flights.
Pre-travel screening
Pre-screening blood tests are available for customers who which to have a profile of their health status before they travel abroad. Our pre-screening tests include checks for:
- Full blood count (FBC). A test to check the types and numbers of cells in your blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets. This can help give an indication of your general health, as well as provide clues about certain health problems.
- Factor 11 Prothrombin. Gene Prothrombin gene mutation (or Factor II mutation) is an inherited condition that increases your risks of developing abnormal blood clots in the veins and lungs.
- Factor V Leiden. A mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood. This mutation can increase your chance of developing abnormal blood clots, most commonly in your legs or lungs.
- Anticardiolipin Antibodies. Antiphospholipid syndrome occurs when your immune system mistakenly creates antibodies that make your blood much more likely to clot. This can cause dangerous blood clots in the legs, kidneys, lungs, and brain.
Post-travel screening
- Haematology Profile. A blood test that measures the size and important characteristics of each circulating blood cell. This test can help detect conditions such as anaemia, infection, inflammation or leukaemia.
- Biochemistry Profile. A series of blood tests that evaluate the functional capacity of several critical organs and systems, such as the liver and kidneys
- Filaria Antibodies. Filaria is caused by a parasitic roundworm called Wuchereria bancrofti. The test measures the level of antibodies against these parasites to determine if an infection has occurred.
- Schistosoma Antigen. They are parasitic flatworms responsible for a highly significant group of infections in humans termed schistosomiasis.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. (ESR) is a type of blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. Normally, red blood cells settle relatively slowly. A faster-than-normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body.
Advanced testing also includes checks for Hepatitis A, B and C, HIV Antibodies and Malarial Parasites
Malarial blood tests
Malaria is caused by a type of parasite known as Plasmodium. There are many different types of Plasmodia parasites, but only five cause malaria in humans.
The Plasmodium parasite is mainly spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which mainly bite at dusk and at night. When an infected mosquito bites a person, it passes the parasites into the bloodstream.
Testing options include screening for both malarial antibodies and parasites.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to use this service?
No, you do not require a doctor’s referral. We provide one when you have placed an order. This is free of charge and a consultation is not required unless stated on certain tests.
Save time and stress when travelling
If you’re looking to book that trip of a lifetime that’s been on hold, or you’re able to travel again for work now that restrictions are easing, save yourself some time and stress and try our rapid walk-in clinic service to easily cross one thing off your travel list.
