Hantavirus Serology Blood Test

Specialist blood test for possible hantavirus exposure or infection

Hantavirus Serology is a specialist blood test used to help investigate possible recent or previous exposure to hantavirus.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses usually carried by rodents, including rats, mice and voles. Infection may occur after contact with infected rodents or contaminated urine, droppings, saliva or dust.

This test may be considered if you have symptoms, possible rodent exposure, recent travel, or have been advised to test by a clinician.

What does this test check?

This blood test looks for antibodies linked to hantavirus exposure.

Depending on the laboratory method used, testing may include:

IgM antibodies
These may suggest a recent or current infection.

IgG antibodies
These may suggest previous exposure, or support recent infection depending on your symptoms, timing and clinical history.

Your result should be interpreted alongside your symptoms, exposure history, travel history and any other relevant blood or urine results.

Who is this test for?

This test may be suitable if you have had possible exposure to hantavirus, such as:

• Contact with rats, mice, voles or rodent-contaminated areas
• Contact with rodent droppings, urine, nests or bedding
• Cleaning sheds, lofts, barns, garages, warehouses, basements or dusty enclosed spaces
• Pet rat, wild rat, mouse or pest infestation exposure
• Recent travel to an area where hantavirus has been reported
• Fever or flu-like illness after possible rodent exposure
• Kidney symptoms, urinary symptoms or abnormal kidney blood results
• Breathing symptoms after a relevant exposure
• A clinician has advised you to arrange testing

Symptoms can be non-specific and may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, back pain, fatigue, breathing symptoms or kidney-related symptoms.

Clinical history required

This test requires a short clinical history before the laboratory request is submitted.

After booking, you will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire covering:

• Why you are requesting the test
• Your symptoms and when they started
• Any fever, flu-like illness, breathing symptoms or kidney/urinary symptoms
• Any possible rodent exposure in the last 8 weeks
• Any exposure to rats, mice, droppings, urine, nests or dusty enclosed areas
• Any recent travel in the last 8 weeks
• Any relevant medical history or abnormal blood/urine results
• Whether you have already spoken to a GP, NHS 111, A&E or another clinician

This information is required by the laboratory so the correct clinical details can be added to your request.

How it works

1. Book your test online

You can order your Hantavirus Serology Blood Test online.

2. Complete your clinical history form

After booking, we will ask you to complete a short clinical history questionnaire. This must be completed before we submit your laboratory request.

3. Attend your blood test appointment

Your blood sample will be collected through one of our available collection options.

4. Laboratory testing

Your sample is sent to our laboratory partner for analysis.

5. Secure results

Your results are sent securely once available.

Turnaround time

Results are typically available within 10 working days from the sample being received by the laboratory.

Please note that turnaround times are estimates and may vary depending on laboratory processing.

Important medical advice

Please do not rely on private blood testing if you are currently very unwell.

Seek urgent NHS medical advice if you have:

• Severe shortness of breath
• Chest pain or chest tightness
• Fainting or collapse
• Confusion
• Very low urine output
• Severe dehydration
• Severe abdominal or back pain
• Known acute kidney injury
• Very low blood pressure
• Rapidly worsening symptoms

If your questionnaire answers suggest that urgent medical care may be more appropriate, our team may contact you before proceeding.

Why choose Nuvivo Health?

• Specialist private blood testing service
• Doctor-reviewed results where applicable
• UKAS-accredited laboratory partners
• Clinical history collected before lab submission
• Secure result delivery
• Clear guidance if further medical care may be needed

FAQs

Can I order this test online?

Yes. You can order the test online. After booking, you will be asked to complete a short clinical history questionnaire before your laboratory request is submitted.

Why do you need clinical history?

The laboratory requires clinical details for this test. Your symptoms, exposure history and travel history help support the request and allow the result to be interpreted correctly.

Can I take this test if I have no symptoms?

You can order the test, but clinical history is still required. If there are no symptoms or exposure history, the result may be less useful and harder to interpret.

Can hantavirus spread from person to person?

Most hantaviruses do not usually spread from person to person. Infection is most commonly linked to exposure to infected rodents or rodent-contaminated dust, urine, droppings or saliva.

Does a positive result mean I currently have hantavirus?

Not always. Interpretation depends on the antibody result, your symptoms, timing of illness, exposure history and whether any further testing or medical review is needed.

Is this part of a standard health check?

No. This is a specialist test and is not usually part of a routine health MOT or general wellness screen.

Booking note

Clinical history is required for this test.

After booking, you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire before your laboratory request is submitted. This helps ensure the correct clinical details are added to your request.