Respiratory infection PCR sputum test in Chiswick

What the test measures

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) detects the genetic material of a germ, even in small amounts. This test runs a multiplex PCR on sputum, the mucus coughed up from deep in the chest, to look for a range of common respiratory pathogens, such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronaviruses and some bacteria linked with chest infections. The exact list is shown on your report.

A sputum sample comes from the lower airways, so it can be more informative than a nose or throat swab when the cough is chesty and productive. Knowing which germ is involved helps your practitioner and GP decide whether antibiotics are likely to help, as most coughs and colds are caused by viruses that antibiotics do not treat.

Your price includes the sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have a chesty cough that brings up mucus and has not settled after a couple of weeks.
• You keep catching chest infections and want to know what is behind them.
• You would like to know whether your illness is viral or bacterial before discussing treatment.
• You care for someone vulnerable and want to understand what infection you have.

Understanding your result

Your report lists each organism tested and whether its genetic material was detected. A positive result shows that the germ was present in your airways, which usually explains your symptoms. Sometimes more than one is detected, or a germ that can live harmlessly in the airways is found, so your practitioner reads the result with your symptoms.

A negative result means none of the organisms on the panel was found in that sample, but it does not rule out every infection. Results are a prompt for discussion with your practitioner or GP, not a diagnosis on their own.

Preparing for your test

Collect your sample first thing in the morning, before eating or brushing your teeth. Rinse your mouth with plain water, take a few deep breaths, then cough deeply to bring up mucus from your chest and spit it into the sterile pot. Saliva from the mouth is not suitable. If you are short of breath, have chest pain, are coughing up blood or feel very unwell, call 111 or 999 rather than waiting for a test.

If you cannot bring up sputum, the swab version of this test looks for the same organisms; you can find it in every blood test and price in Chiswick. A full blood count can also show signs of infection.

Questions

How much is a respiratory infection PCR sputum test in Chiswick?

The Respiratory Infection PCR (sputum) test costs £129. This includes your sample at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Should I choose the sputum or swab test?

Sputum suits a chesty cough that produces mucus. If your cough is dry or mainly in the nose and throat, the swab test may be easier.

Will this tell me if I need antibiotics?

It can help. If a virus is found, antibiotics are unlikely to help. Any decision on treatment is made by a prescriber who knows your symptoms.

Can I bring the sample from home?

Yes, if you collect it in the morning in the sterile pot we provide and bring it to the clinic the same day.