New Year – New Viruses

Although the Respiratory Viral Infection season has been ongoing for the past few months, recently, there have been some new viral pathogens which have been detected in the patient population served by 4path.

Through the end of 2015, the viral types seen at 4path have included:

  • Human Rhinovirus / Enterovirus
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus
  • Coronovirus HKU1
  • Parainfluenza 4
  • Parainfluenza 1

The vast majority of infections were Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus and RSV.  Many DUAL infections were also noted.

Since the beginning of 2016, already some new pathogens have emerged for this season, including:

  • Coronavirus CL63
  • Parainfluenza 1 (the last case had been in early November)
  • Influenza A H1-2009
  • Adenovirus
  • Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

While some physicians may argue that knowledge of the infectious agent doesn’t matter, that may not be an accurate impression.  Knowing the infectious agent for an individual patient may make a dramatic difference in the intensity of therapy and closeness of monitoring.  This is especially true in the very young and elderly.  It is also important to help monitor for significant complicating factors that may predispose a patient to a greater level of illness which may require hospitalization, or “self-quarantine” to help prevent the spread of such viral infections to other family members, schoolmates or occupants of elderly living facilities.

Remember that this type of testing may help you manage your patients outside of the hospital, keeping their exposure to other hospital infections and reducing exposure to other hospitalized patients.  You don’t need to wait for your patient to be sufficient ill that they have to be hospitalized to receive this testing.  It’s available NOW as an out-patient.

4path’s RESP-20 is a fast, easy way to quickly and accurately determine if your patient’s upper respiratory infection is one of the 20 infectious agents tested. (Click here for more information).  Results are typically available within one working day (24 hours) from when the specimen is received in the laboratory.

Do you offer this comprehensive testing to your patients?  If not, why not?   Contact 4path (877.884.7284) for more information and availability.

 

By |2016-01-05T19:49:11+00:00January 5th, 2016|Uncategorized|Comments Off on New Year – New Viruses