Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test (Flavivirus)
    Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test (Flavivirus)
    Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test (Flavivirus)
    Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test (Flavivirus)

Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test (Flavivirus)

£189.00

Check for a current or previous infection of the Zika virus.

Results estimated in 14 working days

View 2 Biomarkers

How do you want to take your sample?

Please choose one option below
  • Book a venous draw at a clinic   +£35.00

    Visit one of our national clinic partners for a nurse to take your venous blood sample from a vein in your arm. We’ll email you instructions on how to book after we’ve processed your order.
  • Book a venous draw at home with a nurse +£59.00

  • Self-arrange a professional sample collection Free

Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test (Flavivirus)

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Is it for you?

Have you recently been to a Zika-infected region? If you were also bitten by a mosquito and are now experiencing flu-like symptoms, you may want to get checked, especially if you are thinking about starting a family soon.

Our test looks at two antibodies to check for a current or previous infection, which become detectable about two to three weeks after initial infection.

Biomarker table

Immunity

Zika virus IgM

Learn more

If the body is infected with bacteria, viruses or any other harmful microorganisms, the immune system produces antibodies to fight the infection. IgM antibodies are primary antibodies released into the blood early in the immune response. Zika virus-specific IgM antibodies are generally present in the blood around 4 days after infection and may continue to circulate in the blood for up to 12 weeks post exposure.

Zika virus IgG

Learn more

If the body is infected with bacteria, viruses or any other harmful microorganisms, the immune system produces antibodies to fight the infection. IgG antibodies are produced in a delayed response to an infection and can be retained in the body for a long time. Testing for zika virus specific IgG antibodies can help to confirm a zika virus infection.
Special instructions

How to prepare for your test

Prepare for your Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test (Flavivirus) Test by following these instructions. If you have returned from an area where Zika virus is active within the past two weeks then we recommend retesting again at the two week mark. Write details of any recent foreign travel on your form.

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How it works

Your personalised, actionable health results are only a few clicks away. Order your test, take and post your sample, then view your results online with our doctors' comments.

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Track, improve, and monitor your health over time

MyMedichecks is your personal online dashboard where you can view your results, access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers, monitor changes in your health, and securely store information about your medical history, lifestyle, and vital statistics.

FAQs

What is the Zika virus?

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects in babies. A higher incidence of babies born with microcephaly (an abnormally small head) has been seen in areas where the virus is widespread. Only one in five infections with the Zika virus cause symptoms, and symptoms can be mild. If you do experience symptoms of the Zika virus, they include flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle and joint aches, red eyes, and fever.

When could I try for a baby?

The recommended period to wait before starting to try for a baby:

  • - Women who travelled to a Zika endemic area without their partner should wait eight weeks after their return (or recovery from Zika infection) before trying for a baby
  • - Men should wait three months after their return (or recovery from Zika infection) before trying for a baby. This is because the virus can survive for three months in the male reproductive system

What is a Zika Virus Antibodies Blood Test?

Our venous blood test (where blood is taken from a vein in your arm) measures two antibodies to the Zika virus to tell whether you have a current or previous infection. Please be aware this test carries a small risk of a false-negative result. The test manufacturer estimates this to affect three out of every 100 negative results. This small risk of a false negative result means that even if your test result is negative, we will advise you to wait for the recommended period before starting to try for a baby.

Limitations of the test

Read before you order:

There is a window period between the initial infection and when the test can reliably detect antibodies in the blood. For Zika antibodies, we recommend waiting for at least two weeks after initial infection. There is a small risk of a false-negative result with any antibody test, but especially if the test is taken too soon after infection. For real-time diagnosis in the early stages of infection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are more suitable. 

Even with negative results, we advise practising safe sex for eight weeks for symptomatic women returning from an endemic area and three months for all men returning from endemic areas. 

Antibodies produced by other similar viruses, such as dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile, can cross-react in Zika tests, leading to a false-positive result. 

Zika antibodies reduce over time which can make it difficult to confirm past infections, especially if years have passed since the initial infection. 

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