Respiratory pathogens infectious disease tests are diagnostic assays used to identify the presence of pathogens causing respiratory infections, including viral and bacterial infections. These tests are used to detect a wide range of respiratory diseases, including influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and strep throat. They can be performed using various sample types, including nasal swabs, throat swabs, sputum, and blood. With modern high-throughput technology, it is possible to detect multiple respiratory pathogens simultaneously from a single sample. Rapid and accurate respiratory pathogens infectious disease tests are essential tools in screening, diagnosis, and surveillance of respiratory infections, especially when containment and prevention measures are critical to limit the spread of outbreaks.
Respiratory pathogens infectious disease tests can be performed using various methods, including PCR, rapid antigen testing, and molecular testing using different types of samples such as nasal swabs, throat swabs, sputum, and blood.
The time to get respiratory pathogens infectious disease test results may vary depending on the type of test used and the volume of samples collected. Some rapid tests can provide results within hours, while others may take a few days or longer to give results.