Blood Tests
A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken to find out information about your body.
People have blood tests so that the doctors who look after them can find out things about them.
Blood tests are done for lots of different reasons:
to find out if there is something making you unwell.
to check that your body is making all the things that it needs
to check that you have the right levels of important chemicals in your body
Everyone will have a blood test at some point but some people need to have them more than others.
No one really likes having a blood test because it is not a pleasant thing to happen. It can hurt a little at first but most people learn to ignore this. For example, many people find that looking away and thinking about something else helps.
It is important to have blood tests. They are not nice but they usually take only a few seconds and you will be OK.
Having A Blood Test
A blood test is when a small bit of blood is taken to find out things about you.
A nurse or doctor uses a special needle to take the blood, usually from the arm.
It is usual to feel a little scratch when having a blood test but this only lasts a second or two.
It only takes a few seconds to take the blood needed and so it is over very quickly.
No one really likes having a blood test and it is OK to feel a bit scared before. You will be OK.
Reading a book or playing a game can sometimes help while you wait.
When it is time for the blood test it can often help to look away and talk about something else.
It is important to have blood tests. They are not nice but they usually take only a few seconds and you will be OK.
