Respiratory virus testing

Rapid tests are available for diagnosis of respiratory viruses. 

POC (point of care) tests:

• Available for Influenza, COVID, and RSV according to season.
• Available: JR ED, JR EAU, JR AAU, Horton ED.
• Use the swab and transport media from POC kit (small clear tube)
• Perform throat or nasal swab when admitting a patient with "flu-like illness".
• A negative test does not fully exclude Influenza, COVID or RSV; consider Respiratory Virus PCR (see below).
• False positive tests may occur particularly at times of low prevalence. Positive COVID tests should be confirmed by PCR (see below).

Respiratory Virus PCR (COVID, Influenza, RSV)

• Available: everywhere
• Use viral swab with universal transport media (green top preferred)
• This tests for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, & RSV.
• Use for patients with respiratory symptoms where Point of Care (POC) testing is negative or not available. 

Extended Respiratory Pathogen Screen PCR

• Use of this test is restricted to specific indications and to be used only after Influenza, COVID and RSV have been excluded by Respiratory Virus PCR (see above).
• This tests for a broad range of pathogens (see below), including some bacterial.
• Use viral swab with universal transport media (green top preferred)
• Only use:
  • After discussion with Micro/ID 
  • If patient is immunocompromised (eg haematology/oncology patient or those taking DMARDs)
  • Where a particular pathogen is being investigated e.g. Mycoplasma, Pertussis
• To avoid delay, please indicate in the clinical detail section that the patient is "immunocompromised" when requesting this test.
• Complete list of pathogens tested for: Adenovirus, SARS-CoV-2 and other seasonal coronaviruses, Human Metapneumovirus, Human Rhinovirus / Enterovirus, Influenza A, Influenza B, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV), Parainfluenza Viruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydophyla pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.