Rapid Flu/RSV

Description: 
The Rapid Flu/RSV assay is a rapid PCR test that detects and differentiates Influenza A, Influenza B and RSV in combined nose and throat swabs, enabling timely diagnosis of these infections to guide treatment and infection control decisions.
Clinical details: 
During winter months Influenza viruses and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause significant pressures on hospital resources, bed utilisation and infection control activities. Clinical diagnosis of these conditions is unreliable and standard diagnostics methods are lengthy. The “Rapid Flu/RSV” test is a molecular test for the detection of Influenza A (no subtyping), Influenza B, and RSV. The assay can be used to rapidly exclude Influenza as a likely diagnosis in a suspected case. In admitted cases a “Respiratory Panel” should also be sent, regardless of the result.


Reference range: 

Not applicable

Synonyms or keywords: 
Flu
Units: 
Qualitative: Detected/Not Detected
Sample type and Volume required: 
A "viral" Nose & Throat swab (NTS) in Universal Transport Medium (UTM).
Turnaround time: 
4 hours. Department - virology (in hours) and microbiology (out of hours).
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and transport to Central Specimen Reception (CSR) immediately. Do not use the air chute.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.

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Last updated: 05/05/2023