COVID Testing
COVID RT-PCR Testing (Gold Standard)
Same-day results available when tested before 11:00am.
This test is suitable for people travelling, casual contacts and asymptomatic patients. We offer the gold standard COVID-19 RT-PCR test used by the HSE and approved by the Department of Health for private patients.
Same-day results available when tested before 11:00am.
The only universally accepted test result that allows you to fly.
We only use HSE accredited Irish labs for our PCR testing.
We can supply the travel cert that enables you to travel.
What is PCR testing?
Currently, the majority of COVID-19 tests are using PCR. They are the gold standard as they detect the genetic information of the virus—the RNA. That’s only possible if the virus is there and someone is actively infected. By detecting viral RNA, which will be present in the body before antibodies form or symptoms of the disease are present, the tests can tell whether or not someone has the virus very early on. This test gives you the best indicator if you are infected and enables you and your close contacts to isolate (if required) and reduce the impact of COVID-19 and contain the virus.
How PCR tests work
1. On Arrival
A healthcare worker will:
Confirm your identity/details.
Give you a face mask to wear.
Explain what happens next.
2. The Test
A healthcare worker will:
Ask you to blow your nose.
Swab test your throat and nose.
Safely secure your test sample.
3. After The Test
A healthcare worker will:
Send your sample to the lab.
Text you your test results.
Advise you on what to do next.
COVID Rapid Antigen Testing
Results indicate the presence of COVID-19 within 15 mins.
Some countries may now accept Rapid Antigen Test results for travel.
People who should not attend for this test:
Patients with symptoms of COVID-19. Instead, you should be referred to Public Health for testing.
Patients with a positive PCR Test result within the previous 8 weeks.
What is COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing?
Rapid Antigen testing is a helpful diagnostic tool, particularly for those who live, work or learn in a group setting as testing may identify positive cases before COVID-19 can spread among the group. It involves a swab taken from the back of your nose. A testing kit is then used onsite to assess for the presence of COVID-19 antigens (markers found on the virus particles). Your result is available within 15 minutes. Our Rapid Antigen test has a sensitivity of 97.56% and a specificity of >99.9%.
Limitations
Antigen tests are intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of infections with COVID-19. There is a small possibility that the result may give a false negative or false positive. Positive Antigen results are confirmed by a PCR test.
What do I do if I test negative?
It’s possible if you have come in contact with the virus shortly before your test that the infection may not yet be detectable and there is a chance that you might pick up a COVID-19 infection just after your test result. For this reason, you will still need to follow all public health guidelines in relation to COVID-19 control.
What do I do if I test positive?
You will be contacted by our team of healthcare professionals and asked to undertake a PCR test, return home and self-isolate until the results of the laboratory PCR test are known.
COVID Antibody Testing
This test helps all patients understand if an illness they had more than 14 days ago was COVID-19. The antibody test checks your blood for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies that your body has produced in response to being exposed to the virus.
There are two types of Antibody tests, one is a full blood draw that can be a requirement to travel to some countries. It identifies the level of IgM and IgG antibodies currently in the body. The other is a Rapid Antibody test. This is a pinprick blood test that identifies if antibodies are present or not.
Antibody tests cannot distinguish between infection and vaccination, cannot distinguish between variants and are unable to provide a timeframe of previous infection.
1. COVID Antibody Blood Test
A full blood draw and lab report that identifies your current level of COVID-19 antibodies. It differs from our Rapid Antibody Test because it tells you your level of antibodies, as opposed to only telling you if you have antibodies or not.
2. COVID Rapid Antibody Test
Results available within 15 mins.
A pinprick blood test that identifies if COVID-19 antibodies are present. It differs from our Antibody Blood Test because it only tells you if you have antibodies or not, as opposed to telling you your level of antibodies.
Antibody tests are not recommended for diagnosing an active COVID-19 infection. Research is ongoing to see if antibodies provide immunity to future coronavirus infections in a person.