Covid-19 Swab Test Kit

What To Know Before You Travel

Before you travel, please check the information on the UK Government website regarding your destination. You can find a list of countries and territories here. The link will take you to a list of countries and terrorites. Clicking through on the destination will give you further information on restrictions in place and what is required upon entering the country.

Some countries require evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result within an alloted time - usually between 48, 72 and 96 hours. Our tests usually take 2 to 3 days from ordering to receiving your result, so it's important to order in advance before you travel.

You can print off your results and fit to fly certificate to use whilst on your travels. Please check with your tour operator, airline, cruise line or other travel and accommodation company beforehand to ensure this is sufficient.

Covid-19 Swab Test Kit and Travel Certificate Online

Our Covid-19 swab tests comply with UK law and are accurate at detecting SARS-CoV-2. Unlike the antibody tests, which look for the presence of antibodies in a blood sample, the swab kits look for the virus itself and are equivelant to the tests used by the UK government.

Obtain a  Covid-19 PCR Swab test for Covid-19 from our trusted online UK home testing clinic. This test kit comes with everything you need to acquire the required sample and send it to our partnered laboratory. Simply take the sample, as per the instructions, fill out the form and send it to our lab using the pre-paid envelope. Everything you need will be enclosed in the box we send you.

Prescription Doctor offers a next-day discreet delivery service to ensure your privacy. The COVID-19 test screens for coronavirus. It's a lab test, but you can collect your sample for it at home.

Why is it important to test for Covid-19?

While the implications of Covid-19 are a risk to us all, the virus poses a significant risk to the ageing population and those with underlying health conditions.

Due to this risk, preventing the spread of this disease between households is paramount. However, it can be difficult to tell if you carry the virus.

Some people may develop mild symptoms. Others may develop more serious symptoms which require critical medical intervention. But for some people, the virus may not cause any symptoms. When a person does not develop any noticeable symptoms to the virus, it is known as an asymptomatic infection.

What are the symptoms of Covid-19?

Covid-19 is a virus which affects the upper respiratory tract, resulting in coughing and breathing difficulties. If you suspect you have Covid-19, a PCR swab test can be used to determine whether you have the virus.

The typical symptoms of Covid-19 are:

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing

Check if you have coronavirus symptoms

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, the UK government advise you to self-isolate for at least 2 weeks to prevent the spread of the virus.

You should contact NHS 111 online if you suspect you have symptoms of novel coronavirus. To protect others, do not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital.

Where can I get a Covid-19 travel certificate?

You can get a covid-19 "fit to fly" certificate from Prescription Doctor.

Once you take the test, post your sample off to our lab. Your results should be made available to you approximately 72 hours after the lab receive your results.

Your results will be made available online via your secure Prescription Doctor account.

Our partnered laboratory have confirmed that you can print off the results you receive and use them to certify your Covid-19 status when travelling.

How do the home test kits work?

When you buy a Covid-19 swab test online from Prescription Doctor, you will receive your kit the next day in discreet, tamper-proof packaging. Each test kit comes with detailed instructions on how to take the test, as well as a pre-paid envelope which you can use to send your sample to our partnered lab.

Inside the kit, you will find a sterile, polyester swab sealed inside a tube which will bear the CE mark. This is used to acquire the sample from the throat and the nostril. You should use the swab to acquire a sample from your throat before taking a sample from your nostril.

You will also receive a request form. It is important to fill in the time and date you take the test on the pathology request form. Your name, age and date of birth will be prefilled for you. You MUST complete this form and send it to our partnered lab.

If you do not receive a request form, do get in touch with our customer services team.

Once you have taken the sample and filled in the form, enclose the request form with the sample you have taken in the pre-paid envelope and post it by putting it in your nearest postbox at your earliest convenience.

If you are an NHS employee, please provide evidence such as your NHS ID card via email to apply for a 25% discount.

The Covid-19 swab test DOES NOT detect antibodies and therefore cannot determine whether you have previously had the virus.

The testing process is identical to swab tests used by the government.

Instructions are provided with the test kit which describe how to correctly take the sample in order to provide an accurate result.

The Covid-19 home testing kit works by detecting the virus' RNA in the sample you provide. The swab test can only detect a current infection, regardless of whether symptoms are present. You cannot ascertain whether you have had the virus previously by using this PCR swab test.

How do I use the Covid-19 home testing kit?

When you buy a Covid-19 swab testing kit online from Prescription Doctor, you will be supplied with instructions on how to take a sample.

Each test kit comes with:

• Name label
• Pre-paid envelope
• Request form
• Test kit box
• Sterile Throat swab

This Covid-19 testing kits are quick to perform and painless.

How do I acquire a sample?

Before acquiring the sample for the Covid-19 home testing kit, wash your hands in soap and water.

1.) Fill out the name label with your name, date of birth and the date you are taking the test. Once filled out, affix the label to the swab tube. It will be easier to fill out this information before attempting to attach it to the tube.

2.) Remove the swab from the tube by twisting it and pulling it out. Take care not to accidentally touch the tip of the swab with any other surfaces.

3.) Ensure the swab comes into contact with the tonsils, posterior walls and uvula at the back of your mouth. Be careful when acquiring a sample from the back of the throat as it may cause coughing or gagging. You may find it useful to have a mirror in front of you to make sure the swab is touching the right areas of your mouth. Take your time with this step to ensure the swab comes into contact with all the areas.

4.) Using the same swab, insert it horizontally approximately 2 or 3 centimetres into one of your nostrils. Do not insert the swab too far into your nostril.

5.) With the swab inside your nostril, rotate the swab 5 times using light pressure to ensure the swab is against the walls of the nostrils. Hold the swab still for an extra 10 seconds to absorb any other materials present in your nose.

6.) Remove the swab from your nostril and put it back into the swab tube, taking care not to allow the swab to come into contact with anything else. Close the cap and ensure a tight seal.

7.) Put the tube, which contains the swab, back into the test kit box.

8.) Place the test kit box (which contains the sample) and the request form into the self-addressed pre-paid envelope and post it at your earliest convenience. Post the sample to our partnered lab using a Royal Mail postbox.

How will I receive my results?

Once the laboratory have tested your sample, your results will be made available to you through your Prescription Doctor account.

You will receive an email notification once your results are available.

Frequently asked questions

Are home test kits for coronavirus legal?

Yes, our home coronavirus test kits are 100% legal and are tested by a UK based laboratory. Unlike the rapid blood tests, the swab test kit uses a painless throat and nasal swab to detect the presence of the virus.

You can buy test kits for Covid-19 from our online pharmacy. Our test kits are supplied by a qualified laboratory and comply with UK standards and government guidelines.

Our partnered laboratory is listed on the Capacity Data Site for NHS. All positive results detected by our laboratory are reported to Public Health England (PHE) on a daily basis.

Imporant: Our partnered lab WILL NOT share your name, age, gender or any other identifying information with PHE. They will only inform them of a positive result to contribute to statistical data on the number of confirmed cases in the UK.

What happens if my test result is positive?

If your test result returns positive for Covid-19, our medical team will advise you on what to do next.

The government currently urge those with confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19 to self-isolate for 14 days. Avoid hospitals, pharmacies and GP surgeries to prevent spreading the virus to other people.

Regardless of the outcome of the result, we will issue support and advice on managing your condition.

We urge you to read advice from the NHS about Covid-19.

When should I post my sample?

You should post your sample at your earliest convenience.

If you know when the postman comes to take the post from a postbox near where you live, you could arrange to take your test near that time to ensure the sample is sent off to the laboratory.

How soon will I receive my results?

Once the lab receive your sample, the turnaround time for the results is between 48 and 72 hours, or 2 to 3 days.

We will notify you by email once your results are available.

How do I access my results?

You can access your results through your secure Prescription Doctor account.

Simply login to your Prescription Doctor account, go to "My orders", find the test kit you and select "Result" to view your results.

When your results are made available, we will email you with a link to download your results.

Table of contents

Buy Covid-19 Swab Test Kit Online

How do the home test kits work?

How do I use the Covid-19 home testing kit?

Frequently asked questions