With our antibody testing service, you can now find out if you have detectable antibodies for coronavirus (COVID-19).
From the 1st December 2020 our antibody test will be a rapid antibody test, meaning you can now find out if you have detectable antibodies to COVID-19 within 15 minutes.
If you have antibodies to coronavirus (COVID-19), it would suggest you have previously been infected with it. The test cannot confirm when you had it or how long any antibodies may last. A simple finger prick blood test taken by a clinician in one of our participating health clinics will give you a result within 15 minutes. Plus you’ll have access to our team of nurses to discuss the results if you want to.
The accuracy of our previous laboratory test and new rapid test have been validated in different ways, so a direct comparison cannot be made. However, the rapid test offers a very high level of accuracy with the added convenience of getting a result within your 15 minute appointment.
In response to COVID-19 infection, most people will produce antibodies in the blood. These take some time to develop. If you have had symptoms of COVID-19 (new cough, fever, or change to your sense of taste or smell) this test should be completed a minimum of 20 days after the symptoms began.
This test can also be used by individuals who may not have developed any symptoms of COVID-19, but are interested in whether they have previously been infected.
Please note, that the presence of antibodies in your blood (a positive result) does not mean that you are protected from future COVID-19 infection or passing it onto others. As such you should continue to follow the current government guidelines around social distancing and self-isolation, regardless of your result.
Price: £65 (includes the test, appointment and follow-up advice)
If you want to know whether you currently have coronavirus (COVID-19), you need to take a COVID-19 at home PCR test.
How does our antibody testing service work?
Step 1: Make an appointment
Book a 15 minute appointment at a Bupa health centre convenient to you.
Book onlineOr call us on 0333 127 1498^
^Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, we are closed on weekends. We may record or monitor our calls.
Step 2: Attend appointment and have a small amount of blood taken via a prick in your finger
Our clinician will talk you through the test and will use a device to create a small pin prick in your finger. They will then take a small amount of blood using a pipette to place onto the testing cassette. You will be able to see your result within minutes.
Step 3: Receive results
In addition to receiving your result during your appointment you will be sent results by secure email.
Your results and some personal data, such as name and date of birth, may be shared with Public Health England. This means these results will contribute to the national statistics on COVID-19.
A negative result means there was no evidence of previous COVID-19 infection detected in the blood. This most likely means you have not been infected previously.
However, we know that some individuals:
- Do not produce an antibody response
- Produce a short-lived antibody response
- May produce a response which is not detectable
Please note if you do not wish to have your results shared with Public Health England you should not have the test.
Step 4: Need extra support?
If you have further concerns or questions, you are entitled to a follow up call with our Anytime HealthLine service within 3 months of your appointment.
Why should I book a coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody test with Bupa?
- To get a reliable test with rapid results.
- A follow up call with a nurse for 3 months after your test, if you have further questions or concerns.
- We’ve partnered with a trusted supplier to provide our testing kits.
- One transparent price includes the test and follow up advice.
- You don’t need to be a Bupa insurance customer.
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Alternatively, call us to book your appointment.
0333 127 1498^
Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, we are closed on weekends. We may record or monitor our calls.
If you’re interested in coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for your business, we can help.
Rapid or point-of-care tests (POCT) refer to a test that does not need to be sent to a laboratory to be analysed. The POCT we use is a lateral flow test. These tests cassettes look like pregnancy tests and only require a small drop of blood to assess for COVID-19 antibodies. Results are available within 15 minutes.
Antibody testing will be able to tell you if you have detectable antibodies to COVID-19 in your blood.
The test involves the clinician using a small device called a lancet to make a small pin prick in your finger. This will feel like a sharp scratch.
No, if you encounter certain viruses the body may produce antibodies to help defend against it, should you come into contact with it again. However, because COVID-19 is a new virus, it is not yet known if the presence of antibodies provides immunity to COVID-19, or for how long any protective immunity may last. Even if you get a positive result you still need to follow government guidelines around social distancing and self-isolation.
The COVID-19 antibody test looks for the presence of specific antibodies in the blood for the SARS-Cov-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19). The presence of antibodies in a blood test helps identify those who have been previously infected by COVID-19. You’ll either receive a positive (antibodies detected) or a negative result (antibodies not detected).
You will get your result during your 15 minute appointment and will also get a secure email with your results.
The test should be done at least 20 days after:
- The first day of COVID-19 symptoms if you had symptoms
- The day of a positive COVID-19 PCR test result
- Suspected infection e.g. if you were told to self-isolate and didn’t get symptoms then wait 20 days after your self-isolation period has finished
Or at any point if you have not had symptoms but would like to know if you have detectable antibodies.
You should not attend your appointment if you have had symptoms or a positive test within the last 20 days.
There is no clear and conclusive evidence to determine the duration of an individual’s antibody response. We are therefore unable to recommend a ‘maximum’ time to wait before having the test. We do however recommend having the test as soon as possible after the 20 days since symptoms began.
No. This test is for antibodies for COVID-19. These are formed in response to infection with COVID-19 are best detected over 20 days after infection began. This test therefore does not tell you if you are currently contagious.
Both types of antibody test are intended to be qualitative. This means that they provide a positive (antibodies detected) or negative (antibodies not detected) result only. It is important to note that we do not yet know whether antibodies offer definitive protection against COVID-19 re-infection, and if so, at what level, or how long for.
This test will not tell you if you currently have COVID-19. If you have symptoms, the NHS provide testing to tell you if you are currently infected. We will be happy to provide a rapid antibody test for you if it has been over 20 days since your symptoms began and have since resolved.
Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ
Terms and conditions for Self Pay GP Services and COVID-19 antibody testing (PDF, 175KB)
