Mixed martial arts or MMA is a contact sport that allows a wide range of fighting techniques including striking, kicking, and grappling. It was initially criticized as a brutal blood sport without rules, but MMA gradually emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing spectator sports in the early 21st century. Though injuries are common in full-contact sports, MMA fighters will more likely face a range of minor injuries throughout their fighting career. So, preventive measures must be taken to prevent injury and every athlete needs to consider their safety to be a priority. MMA fighter blood test is a diagnostic tool adopted by all MMA fighting bodies as a requirement to be accepted as a fighter. This test includes testing and screening for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
This article covers all the significant topics related to the MMA fighter blood test such as the test cost, the purpose of the test, preparation for tests, risk factor, and how to get tested for an MMA fighter blood test.
- What is an MMA fighter blood test?
- Importance of MMA fighter blood test
- How should you prepare for an MMA fighter blood test?
- What happens during the test?
- Risk of MMA fighter blood test
- What do the results mean?
- Provider locations
For our readers who are interested in knowing the MMA fighter blood test cost beforehand, we begin with that section.
How much does the MMA fighter blood test cost?
MMA fighter blood test costs range from $79 to $151 in different labs and facilities across the US. Prior appointment isn’t required. You can order tests online by comparing the price or visiting the nearest lab during lab business hours. You will get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days after completing the procedure. Apart from this, doctor consultation is available for any kind of further treatment or medical advice.
The table below shows the MMA fighter blood test provider and their prices. You can know more and book the test by clicking on the “Book Now” button.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online at Offer Price |
HealthLabs
| $79 |
Personal Labs
| $151 |
MMA fighter blood test cost with insurance
Many insurance companies in the U.S. cover all the vital tests like the MMA fighter blood test. However, the coverage provided by private health insurance companies and national health insurance programs like Medicare varies widely. Most of the health insurance policies cover MMA fighter blood test costs only once or twice a year and when your physician orders more than twice in a year, you should pay the test cost out of pocket. So, you are recommended to check if your health insurance policy covers the MMA fighter blood test cost.
Our MMA fighter blood testing providers do not accept any kind of health insurance policy. However, they can provide you with an itemized receipt containing all the details viz the name of the test, code of the test, and CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
What is an MMA fighter blood test?
Professional fighters like boxers, kickboxers, UFC fighters, wrestling, and mixed martial arts or MMA need to provide proof that they are free of bloodborne viruses to compete. MMA fighter blood test includes testing and screening for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Identifying these infections can help ensure the safety of participants. Because all these infections are transmitted by getting in touch with contaminated blood and it can lead to serious chronic illnesses.
HIV
HIV or human immunodeficiency virus attacks the body’s immune system and it can lead to AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It can spread through blood, sexual contact, from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Infected people may have flu-like symptoms within 2-4 weeks after infection. And the symptoms may also last for a few days or several weeks. If this condition is left untreated, the infection advances in stages and will get worse over time. Though there is no cure for this infection, ART or antiretroviral treatment can reduce the amount of HIV in the body and help to live long. Antiretroviral treatment is the only medication that is effective to control the virus and there is no natural or herbal cure for it.
Testing is the only way to confirm the HIV infection. The testing is done on blood, urine, or oral fluid. HIV testing is part of the MMA fighter test that includes testing for HIV antibodies and antigens.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis B virus or HBV and this infection becomes chronic, in some people. When a person has chronic hepatitis B it increases their risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis. The hepatitis B virus can spread via blood, semen, or other body fluids. Infected people do not experience any symptoms. But some may have acute illnesses with symptoms that last several weeks. If this condition is left untreated, the infection can cause cirrhosis, which can cause the liver to stop working properly. An infected person may also need a liver transplant when the infection has severely damaged the liver. Doctors recommend rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids for people with mild symptoms. Whereas hospitalization is required when the infection causes a more severe illness.
The doctor will conduct a physical exam and a blood test to check if the liver is inflamed. The MMA fighter blood test includes testing hepatitis B surface antigens.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus or HCV and can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. This infection spreads when contaminated blood enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person. And the hepatitis C infection can be acute or chronic. Many people with hepatitis C infection have no symptoms and when symptoms do occur it lasts for 2 to 12 weeks. In most cases, modern treatments can cure hepatitis C infection and the treatments involve a combination of antiviral medications taken for 8 to 24 weeks. Although there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Doctors can use blood tests to diagnose hepatitis C.
The MMA fighter blood test includes testing for the Hepatitis C antibodies. This test measures the Hepatitis C antibodies that were released into the bloodstream.
Importance of MMA fighter blood test
MMA fighter test is essential because blood clearance is required in many states before fighting and mixed martial arts competitions. The reason behind this is that when a person is involved in MMA fighting, they will have cuts and the blood will be shed almost everywhere around the arena. And these cuts and blood can put a player at risk of getting infected with the virus that the other player has. The MMA fighter test can screen and diagnose the players for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B. This test can help identify an infected player and eliminate the risk of spreading the infection. So, the MMA fighter test is important for all ages and all types of fighters.
How should you prepare for an MMA fighter blood test?
Generally, you don’t need to take any special measures to prepare for this test. People who are taking high-dose biotin supplements should wait at least 72 hours after the last biotin dose before sample collection.
What happens during the test?
This test requires a blood sample. Your nurse or healthcare professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm. To make the vein fill with blood & swell up, a band will be tied around the upper part of your arm. And your health care professional will clean the area with an antiseptic to help prevent infection. After inserting the needle, the blood will be collected into a vial or test tube. You may feel a quick sting or pinch when the needle goes in/out. After taking the sample they will remove the needle & band. And the health care professional will put a piece of gauze over the spot to stop the bleeding.
Risk of MMA fighter blood test
There is little risk in having this blood test. You may have minor pain, slight bleeding, or bruising in the area where the needle was inserted. But the symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
- HIV test – In this test the antibodies and antigens are being tested. When the antigen test and the HIV antibodies test were negative, it means that the fighter doesn’t have an infection.
- Hepatitis B test – It tests the surface antigens. When the results are negative, the fighter is not infected with hepatitis B. But when it is positive it can indicate active hepatitis B infection.
- Hepatitis C test – Here, the antibodies are tested. When the results are negative, the fighter is not infected. And when the test results are positive it can indicate hepatitis C infection.
Provider locations
An MMA fighter blood test can be done in any of the following locations by visiting the lab near you. To know the MMA fighter blood test cost, refer to the first section of the article.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you with a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order any time before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
Other topics you may also be interested in:-
- Fibrinogen Test Cost in the U.S.
- At-Home HIV Test Cost in the U.S.
- Normal Levels of Apolipoprotein B
- Ammonia Testing Cost and Procedure
- What is an AST Blood Test?
- What is a Mineral Deficiency Test?
- Blood Type Test Cost in the US
- What is a Parathyroid Hormone?
- Can you get STD from a Toilet Seat?
- What is the Myasthenia Gravis Test?
- Arsenic Blood Test – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Arsenic poisoning
- Importance of Microalbumin
- Statin Panel Blood Testing in the US
- Importance of hCG Qualitative Pregnancy Test
- Glucose Blood Test: Purpose, Procedure and Test Results
- Causes of Zika Virus and their Symptoms
