When Zika PCR testing is being undertaken both blood and urine samples must be tested. the optimum time for doing this test is around 14 days after the symptoms have begun.
If you have returned to London or any other part of the UK after a visit to South or Central America, you may be concerned that you have been exposed to the zika virus.
The virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito which lives in tropical climates. At present there have been outbreaks of this virus mostly confined to South America where countries like Brazil are affected.
If a doctor suspects you may have this virus you will have a urine and blood test. However, it should be noted that around 80% of infections caused by the zika virus are not picked up because they have no symptoms. Within the 20% of cases that are symptomatic they will usually present with a mild illness with symptoms such as:
There is no specific treatment for zika virus and in most people any symptoms they have will die down within two to seven days. This is because ,in a normal healthy person, their immune systems should be able to combat the virus. For the symptoms patients are recommended to take paracetamol and have plenty of water to drink. If a patient suffers the onset of symptoms after a visit to South America they should attend hospital. It is important to distinguish whether a patient has zika virus or perhaps another type of tropical disease.
The greatest concern comes where the zika virus is contracted by pregnant women because it can have a devastating effect on a foetus. There is very strong evidence that babies whose mothers have been exposed to the zika virus are born with severe birth defects, usually an abnormally small head (microcephaly).
If a person has contracted the zika virus it would usually incubate for around two to three days. After that it may take a week for antibodies to multiply to the point that they can be detected in a blood sample. Because of this, a test for zika virus will normally be taken at around three weeks after exposure and will cost £364.
Select the test that you would like to undergo
Go to the Harley Street clinic for your blood draw and pay for your test in person
As soon as the results are ready, the will be sent to you by your chosen method
