This question is actually very important.

Many of us had a blood test at some point in our lives. We kind of know how it feels. However, I do realize that many people never had blood drawn and are worried about the procedure. For you, here is an answer:

A blood test usually involves taking some blood (very little actually) from a vein at the elbow fold. If you feel this area with the tips of your fingers, you will come across two larger veins forming a sort of a V-shape. Don't worry if you can't see them, you can still usually feel them under the skin. One of these larger veins is typically used for taking a blood sample.

The nurse will swab your elbow fold with an alcohol swab. Afterwards she or he will insert a small needle into the vein. Different collecting tubes will be connected to this needle to draw the blood. Nowadays, blood sampling is done using the so called Vacutainer system. This means that the nurse doesn't use a syringe to draw blood. Simply, the different collecting tubes have a vaccum inside, which slowly draws the blood in. This way, there is minimal movement of the needle in the vein.

The pain associated with a blood test is minimal. Many people feel it is like a sting (think mosquito). It only hurts a tiny bit when the needle is inserted into the vein. Once the needle is in, there is no more pain, only slight discomfort as the various collecting tubes are exchanged. The whole procedure is very, very short - under a minute.

Don't worry about your blood test. Just go in courageously, with your head held high and a "let's do this" attitude. Be proud of yourself as you walk out.