Viral Respiratory Screen
Private Viral Respiratory PCR testing in London for £424, assessing 23 respiratory pathogen targets with results expected in around 2 days.
Turnaround time
2 business days
Biomarkers count
23
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Overview of the Viral Respiratory Screen
The Viral Respiratory Screen is a multiplex PCR panel that tests for 23 respiratory viral and atypical bacterial targets from a respiratory swab specimen.
The panel includes common causes of influenza-like illness, respiratory tract infection and atypical pneumonia.
PCR detects genetic material from the organisms included in the panel.
This makes it possible to investigate several respiratory pathogens simultaneously rather than performing one separate test for each organism.
The panel includes Influenza A and B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, SARS-CoV-2, seasonal Coronaviruses, Adenovirus, Human Metapneumovirus, Parainfluenza viruses and Rhinovirus/Enterovirus.
It also includes selected atypical bacterial respiratory pathogens including Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Respiratory infections often produce overlapping symptoms.
Fever, cough, sore throat, congestion and fatigue cannot reliably identify the causative pathogen by symptoms alone.
A multiplex panel can therefore provide useful information where establishing the infectious cause matters clinically.
A positive PCR result means genetic material from the relevant target has been detected in the specimen.
It does not always determine the severity of infection.
Some respiratory pathogens can also remain detectable after symptoms begin to improve.
A negative result means none of the included targets was detected above the assay threshold in that specimen.
It does not exclude pathogens that are not included in the panel.
Specimen quality and the timing of testing relative to symptom onset can also influence detection.
What Does the Viral Respiratory Screen Check ?
The panel uses multiplex PCR to test for 23 respiratory pathogens and pathogen groups. This test measures 23 specialist biomarkers.
Adenovirus - Detects Adenovirus genetic material, a cause of respiratory infection that can also produce conjunctival and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Bocavirus - Detects Human Bocavirus, a respiratory virus particularly associated with infection in children.
Coronovirus OC43 - Detects seasonal Coronavirus OC43, which commonly causes respiratory illness.
Coronovirus NL63 - Detects seasonal Coronavirus NL63, associated with upper and lower respiratory infection.
Coronovirus HKU1 - Detects seasonal Coronavirus HKU1.
Coronovirus 229E - Detects seasonal Coronavirus 229E.
Human metapneumovirus A/B - Detects Human Metapneumovirus groups associated with respiratory tract infection.
Influenza A subtype H1N1/2009 - Detects pandemic-lineage Influenza A H1N1/2009 genetic material.
Influenza A subtype H3 - Detects Influenza A H3 subtype.
Influenza A - Detects Influenza A virus genetic material.
Influenza A subtype H1 - Detects Influenza A H1 subtype.
Influenza B - Detects Influenza B virus.
Parainfluenza virus 2 - Detects Parainfluenza Virus type 2.
Parainfluenza virus 3 - Detects Parainfluenza Virus type 3.
Parainfluenza virus 4 - Detects Parainfluenza Virus type 4.
Parainfluenza Virus 1 - Detects Parainfluenza Virus type 1.
SARS-CoV-2 - Detects the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Rhinovirus/Enterovirus - Detects genetic material from Rhinovirus or Enterovirus targets covered by the assay.
Respiratory syncytial virus A/B - Detects RSV groups A and B.
Chlamydophila pneumoniae - Detects an atypical bacterial cause of respiratory tract infection and pneumonia.
Legionella pneumophila - Detects Legionella pneumophila, an important cause of Legionnaires' disease.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae - Detects Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a recognised cause of atypical pneumonia.
Bordetella.pertussis - Detects Bordetella pertussis genetic material associated with whooping cough.
Who May Benefit From the Viral Respiratory Screen?
A multiplex respiratory panel can be useful where identifying the cause of a significant or persistent respiratory illness could influence clinical management.
People with influenza-like illness requiring broader pathogen testing - Several respiratory viruses produce almost identical symptoms.
People with persistent cough and fever - Multiplex PCR can investigate viral and atypical bacterial causes simultaneously.
People with significant respiratory symptoms and negative single-pathogen testing - Broader testing can identify alternative causes.
People with immune suppression and respiratory infection - Identifying a pathogen can be particularly important in higher-risk patients.
People with recurrent or severe respiratory illness under clinical assessment - A broad PCR panel can provide additional diagnostic information.
People with possible atypical pneumonia - The panel includes Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila and Legionella targets.
People with possible Pertussis - Bordetella pertussis is included among the supplied targets.
People requiring broad respiratory testing before close contact with vulnerable individuals - Laboratory identification can provide additional infection information.
How to Prepare
There is no home or hotel collection option for this respiratory swab test.
Correct sampling technique is important because an inadequate respiratory specimen can reduce PCR sensitivity.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Viral Respiratory Screen
Respiratory pathogens included in the panel can produce overlapping upper and lower respiratory symptoms.
Fever with cough - Influenza, COVID-19, RSV and several other pathogens can produce this combination.
Persistent cough - Viral or atypical bacterial infections can cause prolonged respiratory symptoms.
Sore throat and nasal congestion - Many upper respiratory viruses produce similar symptoms.
Shortness of breath or wheezing - Lower respiratory involvement can occur with several included pathogens.
Marked fatigue and muscle aches - Influenza and other systemic respiratory infections can cause pronounced constitutional symptoms.
Symptoms following contact with a confirmed respiratory infection - Multiplex testing can help establish the responsible pathogen.
Persistent respiratory symptoms despite an initial negative test - Broader PCR testing can investigate alternative organisms.
Significant breathing difficulty, chest pain, cyanosis, confusion, severe dehydration or rapidly worsening respiratory illness requires prompt medical assessment.
A negative panel does not exclude every possible respiratory infection because only the listed targets are tested.
How to Book Your Viral Respiratory Screen in London
The Viral Respiratory Screen can be booked privately for multiplex PCR testing of 23 respiratory pathogen targets.
Choose the Viral Respiratory Screen
Select the 23-target respiratory PCR panel online.
Select your collection option
This respiratory swab is collected in clinic only; home and hotel visits are not available for this test.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required respiratory swab specimen.
Laboratory analysis
Your specimen undergoes multiplex PCR analysis for all 23 included respiratory targets.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised report is delivered securely with individual detected or not-detected findings for the included targets.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The specialist laboratory turnaround for the Viral Respiratory Screen is approximately 2 days after laboratory receipt.
PCR testing involves nucleic-acid extraction, amplification, target detection, laboratory quality control and result authorisation.
Turnaround begins when an acceptable respiratory specimen reaches the laboratory.
Understanding Your Results
A positive result for one of the targets means genetic material from that organism was detected in the respiratory specimen.
The result should be interpreted with symptoms and the clinical stage of illness.
Detection does not automatically indicate severe disease.
A negative result means none of the included targets was detected above the assay threshold.
This does not exclude respiratory infection from another pathogen not included in the panel.
Sampling quality and timing can also affect results.
More than one organism can occasionally be detected in the same specimen.
Where a bacterial target is positive, treatment decisions should be based on the organism, symptoms and appropriate clinical guidance rather than PCR positivity alone.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private broad respiratory PCR testing for simultaneous investigation of multiple pathogens.
Tests 23 respiratory targets - The supplied panel combines major viral and atypical bacterial pathogens.
Uses molecular PCR technology - Genetic material is detected directly from the respiratory specimen.
Includes Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 - Important common respiratory viruses are assessed together.
Includes RSV and seasonal Coronaviruses - The panel extends beyond standard flu testing.
Includes atypical pneumonia pathogens - Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila and Legionella are included.
Includes Bordetella pertussis - Whooping cough can be investigated within the broader panel.
Clinic-only professional swab collection - Correct respiratory sampling is performed by a trained healthcare professional.
Clear pricing - The Viral Respiratory Screen costs £424.
Private Viral Respiratory Screen Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Viral Respiratory Screen testing for people requiring broad PCR investigation of respiratory infection.
The test costs £424 and assesses 23 respiratory pathogen targets.
Collection is performed in clinic using an appropriate respiratory swab.
Results are expected approximately 2 days after laboratory receipt.