[Withdrawn] Testing for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure (text only easy read)
Updated 8 March 2022
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2022
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1. Introduction
How to test yourself for coronavirus (COVID-19) before you go to hospital is a guide from the UK Health Security Agency.
It tells you:
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what to do when you get your test kit
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how to test yourself for COVID-19
COVID-19 is an illness that is spreading around the world. Lots of people call it COVID-19.
We have a test for COVID-19. You can do the test on yourself.
You need to do the test and then isolate for 3 days before you go to hospital to make sure you are not ill.
Isolate means:
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you must stay in your home
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you cannot go near other people
COVID-19
You can have COVID-19 and not feel ill.
Some people are very ill with it.
COVID-19 symptoms
You may get a high temperature and a cough.
You might not be able to taste or smell things.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you must isolate and can book a test.
2. Check test kit contents
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
Clean and dry a surface and place the home test kit contents on it.
If anything in your kit is broken or missing, call the hospital straight away:
- swab, inside sealed wrapper
- leak-proof bag
- plastic tube containing a small amount of liquid
- security seal, for the return box
- white absorbent pad
- return box with pre-paid Royal Mail return label
3. Find a priority postbox
Check collection times at your nearest Royal Mail priority postbox. It has a priority postbox sticker on it.
You can find your nearest priority postbox by going to: royalmail.com/services-near-you
Click the ‘Show my nearest priority postboxes’ box and enter your postcode.
After you have done your test, you will need to post it in a priority postbox before 12pm.
If you cannot get to a priority postbox, call the contact centre on 0800 0511 811.
You should call the contact centre 4 days before you are going to hospital.
The contact centre will tell you:
- when to take your test
- how to book a courier
4. Prepare to test
Take your test 3 days before you go to the hospital.
The test is nothing to worry about. It will be very quick and it will not hurt.
Clean and dry a surface. Then unpack everything from the test kit onto it.
If you have a runny nose, you will need to blow your nose with a tissue before taking the test.
Before you take the test, wash your hands with soap and water.
You will take a test from your throat and your nose using a swab. A swab is like a large cotton bud.
You will use the same swab for both your throat and your nose.
If you cannot swab your throat, you can swab both nostrils instead.
Open the package and gently take out the swab.
Be careful not to touch the tip of the swab with your fingers.
Do not let the tip of the swab touch other surfaces or it could mix up your results.
5. Throat swab
Look inside your mouth and find your tonsils. Your tonsils are the soft parts at the back of your throat.
You need to open your mouth and stick out your tongue. Use the swab to take a sample from your throat.
Gently rub the swab over the soft part at the back of your throat for 4 times on each side.
It may be a bit uncomfortable and may make you gag, but it will not hurt.
6. Nose swab
Use the same swab to take a sample from your nose. If one of your nostrils is pierced, swab the other nostril.
Put the swab into your nostril and push it gently upwards.
It will not hurt and it will not go too far up.
Gently turn the swab for 10 complete circles. This will not hurt but may be a bit uncomfortable.
If you did not swab your throat, now swab the second nostril.
Put the swab into the plastic tube. The plastic tube is a small jar filled with a little liquid. Make sure the liquid stays in the tube.
Snap off the stick end of the swab so that it fits into the plastic tube without bending.
Screw the lid of the plastic tube back on tightly and check it is on correctly. That is it, well done.
Now you need to pack it up, so it is ready to post in the leak-proof bag. The leak-proof bag will have a barcode on it.
7. Pack up your test
An absorbent pad is a small piece of soft fabric.
Place the plastic tube and absorbent pad together into the leak-proof bag.
The leak-proof bag will have a barcode on it.
Let some air out of the bag.
Then take the strip off the top of the bag. There is a sticky area underneath.
Press the top of the bag together to close it.
Make up the cardboard box
First, fold the sides towards the centre.
Then, fold the bottom part of the lid towards the centre on top of the sides.
Put the bag inside your cardboard box.
Fold the top part of the lid and push it into the bottom part to close the box.
Tape it shut with the security seal.
That is it, well done. Now it is ready for the courier.
The courier will come between 8am and 4pm.
When the courier comes, open your door, place the return box outside and then close the door.
The courier will take your box to a test lab. If you missed your courier, call 0800 0511811.
8. Get your test results
You will not know the test results straight away. The courier will take your test to the lab for testing.
You must isolate until the day you go to hospital. You will have to wait for your test results. This may take up to 2 days.
You will get your test results by text. Your hospital will also get your results by email.
If the test is positive or unclear
Call your hospital to talk about what to do next.
If the test is negative
It means that the test did not find COVID-19. You need to continue isolating until you go to hospital.
9. Book your courier collection
A courier is a person who picks up your test kit and takes it to the lab.
You need to book your courier 4 days before you go to the hospital.
Book your courier online or call 0800 0511 811 between 8am and 6pm.
You will need your Royal Mail barcode.
Your courier will come between 8am and 4pm the next day.
10. For more information
If you have any questions about your COVID-19 test, call 119.
If you feel worse, or you do not get better after 7 days:
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or call 111