All Women's Blood Tests
Cold, Cough and Flu Test Clinic test
Respiratory · swab test

Cold, Cough and Flu Test

A laboratory swab test that identifies which of 22 common viruses and bacteria is behind your cough, cold or flu-like symptoms — influenza A and B, RSV, rhinovirus, coronaviruses, whooping cough, Mycoplasma and more.

Price £98 £82.99
Covers 22 markers
Type Clinic visit · ~15 min
Book just this test
Nose and throat swab, taken at the clinic — taken at 44 Crawford Street, Marylebone
No preparation needed. Best taken within the first few days of symptoms.
Results explained by our clinical team
About this test

Everything you need to know about Cold, Cough and Flu Test

“Is it flu, a cold, or something I need antibiotics for?” is the question behind most winter GP visits, and symptoms alone cannot answer it. This test uses molecular (PCR) detection on a nose and throat swab to identify the cause from a panel of 22 pathogens: influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus A and B, rhinovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, the common-cold coronaviruses, parainfluenza 1–4, metapneumovirus and bocavirus, together with bacteria including Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Knowing the cause matters when you are deciding whether to isolate, whether an antiviral is worth considering, whether antibiotics would do anything at all, or when a cough has dragged on for weeks.

What's measured

What's included

22 markers in this test

Bordetella Pertussis Chlamydophila Pneumoniae Haemophilus Influenzae Human Adenovirus A/B/C/D/E Human Bocavirus 1/2/3 Human Coronavirus 229E/NL63 Human Coronavirus OC43/HKUI Human Enterovirus A/B/C Human Metapneumovirus Human Parainfluenza Virus 1 Human Parainfluenza Virus 2 Human Parainfluenza Virus 3 Human Parainfluenza Virus 4 Human Respiratory Syncytial virus A Human Respiratory Syncytial virus B Human Rhinovirus A/B/C Influenza A Influenza B Legionella Pneumophila Moraxella Catarrhalis Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Who it's for

Worth considering if

  • Flu-like symptoms where knowing the cause would change what you do
  • A cough that has lasted more than two to three weeks
  • Pregnant, or living or working with someone vulnerable — a newborn, an older relative, a patient
  • Repeated chest infections and wanting to know what is behind them
Important: A blood test is not a diagnosis on its own. Where something needs looking at, we tell you what it means and what to do next. If you are unwell now, please see your GP or call 111 rather than waiting for a test.
What to expect

Your visit

1

Book online

Add this test — and any others — to your booking, pick a time at the clinic and pay online. No preparation needed. Best taken within the first few days of symptoms.

2

Your visit

About 15 minutes at 44 Crawford Street, Marylebone. Our clinical team takes your sample (nose and throat swab, taken at the clinic) and answers any questions.

3

Results explained

The laboratory analyses your sample and your results are released to your secure account with a written explanation from our clinical team — and a call where something needs talking through.

Frequently Asked

Cold, Cough and Flu Test — FAQs

When is the best time to be swabbed?
In the first few days of symptoms, when the amount of virus or bacteria is highest. Later swabs can still be useful — particularly for a lingering cough — but are less likely to detect a virus that has already cleared.
Does it test for COVID-19?
The panel covers the common-cold coronaviruses (229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1). If you want COVID-19 specifically tested, tell us when you book so we can advise.
Will I be given antibiotics?
Only if a bacterial cause is found and treatment is appropriate. Most coughs and colds are viral, and the test often confirms that antibiotics would not help — which is useful information in itself. Our clinician explains your result and any next steps.
I feel very unwell — should I come in?
If you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion or a very high temperature that will not come down, seek urgent care via 111 or 999 rather than waiting for a test. For milder symptoms, let us know at the clinic so we can seat you away from other patients.
Where is the test done?
44 Crawford Street, London W1H 1JS — a short walk from Marylebone and Edgware Road stations. Your sample is taken at the clinic by our clinical team; you do not need to bring anything.
How long does the appointment take?
About 15 minutes. If you have booked several tests they are all done in the same visit.
Can I book several tests at once?
Yes. Use “Add to booking” on each test and then “Book” in the bar at the bottom — they go into one appointment and one payment. Home test kits are ordered separately, because they are posted to you.
How do I pay, and can I cancel?
Pay online when you book — by card or bank transfer — or at the clinic where that option is offered. You can cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment for a full refund.
How do I get my results?
Results are released to your secure account and explained by our clinical team in a written summary, with a call where something needs talking through. Turnaround depends on the test: routine blood panels are quicker than genetic or DNA analysis, and we tell you what to expect at your appointment.
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