What is a Virology Blood Test & When Should I Get it Done?

When you’re on your IVF or egg freezing journey, apart from your fertility bloodwork, you’ll be asked to get a virology test done.

It’s a test that checks your blood for viral infections, past or current, and is a part of your pre-procedure workup.

While this is a routine test, it’s common to have the ‘why is this done’ question- so we’re here to explain all about it, and why you need these tests.

Here’s all you need to know about getting your virology test done before your egg freezing or IVF cycle.

Let’s dive in!

What is a Virology Blood Test?

A virology blood test is a laboratory test that checks your blood for viruses, viral antigens, or antibodies your body has produced in response to viral infections. 

These tests use different techniques—including antigen detection, PCR (nucleic acid amplification), and serological testing—to diagnose both active and past viral infections.

Essentially, here’s how to think of it: when a virus enters your body, your immune system responds by creating antibodies to fight it off. 

A virology blood test can detect either the virus itself, parts of the virus (antigens), or the antibodies your body has made against it.

This “detection” is key for diagnosing viral infections, and these are commonly recommended as a part of your pre-egg freezing or IVF bloodwork.

What is a Virology Test For?

A virology test helps your doctor check for viruses in your body. It can show whether you have an active infection right now or if you’ve had one in the past. 

These tests are commonly used to detect both long-term infections like HIV or hepatitis, as well as short-term illnesses such as the flu or RSV.

There is one situation where routine virology testing becomes essential, and that’s with fertility treatments. 

This is because clinics need to make sure both partners are healthy before starting procedures such as IVF, egg freezing, or IUI. 

As part of this preparation, you will be asked to take a set of virology blood tests. These tests look for specific blood-borne viruses like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. 

This viral screening helps protect your health and supports safe laboratory handling of your samples, aka a safety win-win for all.

What Viral Infections Does Your Clinic Test For?

As we discussed above, if you're planning to freeze your eggs or undergo IVF, virology blood tests aren't optional—they're a required part of the process.

Here are the viruses commonly tested before egg freezing or IVF:

HIV (1/2 and p24 Antigen)

HIV testing includes screening for both HIV-1 and HIV-2, as well as the p24 antigen, which appears early in infection. 

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

This test detects the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which indicates an active hepatitis B infection. It's one of the primary markers used to identify whether you're currently infected with the virus.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody IgG/IgM

Screening for hepatitis B core antibodies helps identify different stages of infection and immunity. IgM antibodies suggest recent infection, while IgG antibodies indicate past exposure or chronic infection. 

Hepatitis C Antibodies

This test looks for antibodies that develop when the body has been exposed to hepatitis C. It helps identify current or past infection so your clinic can offer the right care.

Chlamydia trachomatis (urine)

While not strictly a virology test (it's bacterial), chlamydia screening is typically included in STI panels before assisted reproductive technology. It's usually tested through a urine sample rather than blood.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (urine)

Gonorrhea is another bacterial infection that is often screened alongside chlamydia. It is also done through a urine test and helps ensure everything is healthy before treatment begins.

When Should I Take a Virology Blood Test?

Most people take a virology test when their doctor recommends it. This usually happens in two situations.

First, your doctor may suggest testing if you are experiencing symptoms of a viral infection or if there is a concern that you may have been exposed to one. The test helps give you clear answers and guides the next steps in your care.

Second, virology testing is a routine part of preparing for egg freezing or IVF. Clinics include it in the standard health workup to make sure everything is safe before treatment begins.

Your doctor may also advise you on the best timing for these tests, since some viruses take a little time to show up in your blood. 

This helps make sure the results are accurate and help the doctors plan for your treatment better.

How Long Do Virology Tests Take?

Most virology blood tests come back fairly quickly. In many clinics, you can expect your results within a couple of days. Some tests are processed faster than others, and timing can vary slightly depending on how busy the lab is.

Thinking of testing your fertility or opting for egg freezing? Get discounted virology tests and a free doctor consultation — only via Amilis.

Book a Test

Your clinic will let you know what to expect when your blood is taken. In most cases, you will have your results in hand within two or three days, and your doctor can explain what they mean and guide you on the next steps.

What Does a Positive Virology Test Mean?

A positive virology test result simply means the test picked up signs of a current or past infection. What it means for you depends on the specific virus, and your doctor or clinic will walk you through it step by step.

For people preparing for egg freezing or IVF, a positive result does not usually stop treatment. It may just mean the clinic needs to take a few extra precautions or run additional checks to keep everything safe. 

Your care team will explain what this means for your treatment plan, your health, and any safety measures needed.

What Does a Negative Virology Test Mean?

A negative result usually means that the test didn’t detect the virus in your blood — which is generally a good sign. In most cases, it means you haven’t been exposed to that virus, or your body hasn’t developed an infection.

However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• If the exposure was very recent, some viruses may not show up on a test right away. In that case, your doctor may recommend repeating the test after a short period.
• If the result is unclear or borderline, a follow-up test can help confirm things and give a more accurate picture.

Your doctor will always look at your results alongside your symptoms, medical history, and any recent exposures. If you’re unsure about what your result means or what to do next, they’ll walk you through it and answer any questions you have.

Recommended read:

At Home Testing vs Clinic Testing: Which Should I Go for?

Cost of a Virology Test in the UK

Virology test prices can vary quite a bit depending on the clinic and the viruses being checked. In most private settings, individual viral tests usually cost £30–£80, while full blood-borne virus panels can range from £70–£300+.

A typical example: a combined BBV screen (HIV, hepatitis B/C) at a private GP is often listed at around £79 for the lab test alone. However, this doesn’t include clinic or phlebotomy fees, which are usually added on top—so the final price is almost always higher than the lab cost you see advertised.

If you're doing egg freezing or IVF, these virology checks are normally bundled into your clinic’s required pre-treatment package, so they’re included in your overall treatment cost

A more affordable, faster option with Amilis

If you’d prefer to skip long waiting times and avoid paying for multiple individual tests, Amilis makes the process much simpler. For £190, you get a complete virology and STI screening that includes:

Viral Infections

• HIV (1/2 and p24 Antigen)
• Hepatitis B Core Antibody IgG/IgM
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
• Hepatitis C Antibodies

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae (urine)
• Chlamydia trachomatis (urine)

Getting all of these done separately—or through a GP—can easily add up in cost, not to mention the extra appointments and delays. With Amilis, all these markers are packaged into one convenient test, and you also have the option to book a free mini consultation with our expert gynaecologists to help you understand your results and plan any next steps.

Book a Virology Test in the UK, via Amilis

When you choose to navigate your fertility journey through the right channels and with the right support, the process becomes less of a maze and significantly easier.

At Amilis, we believe in making fertility testing accessible from the very first step. When you test with Amilis, you get:

• Get discounted prices on virology tests and fertility assessments
• Free consultations with expert doctors across the UK.
• Free clinic consultations across vetted fertility clinics in the UK 

And you also get personalised support and the right resources, at every stage of your journey!

It's about time we make fertility care accessible, not a luxury. 

And we're paving the way for it, one day at a time. 🙌🏼

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a virology test normal range?

There isn't a universal "normal range" for virology blood tests like there is for something like cholesterol or blood sugar. Instead, virology test results are typically reported as positive or negative, or with antibody titers (levels).

For other routine blood parameters that might be included in your panel (like white blood cell count or platelets), reference ranges are provided by the laboratory and will appear on your results sheet.

What is a virology screening test?

A virology screening test includes serological and molecular assays designed to identify your viral infection status and, where relevant, your immune response to specific viruses. These are typically done on people without symptoms as a preventive measure or before certain procedures, rather than in response to active illness.

Screening is different from diagnostic testing—screening is done proactively, while diagnostic testing is done when there's a specific reason to suspect infection.