Respiratory virus testing

Rapid tests are available for diagnosis of respiratory viruses. 

Influenza POC (point of care) test:

• 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; consider influenza/RSV PCR (see below)

Influenza/RSV PCR 

• Available: everywhere
• Use viral swab with universal transport media.
• This tests for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, & RSV.
• Use where there is a clinical concern and influenza POC is negative. 

Respiratory virus PCR

• This tests for a broad range of pathogens (see below), including some bacterial.
• Use viral swab with universal transport media
• Only use if:
• Patient is immunocompromised (eg haem/oncology or those taking DMARDs)
• After discussion with Micro/ID 
• 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.