Ordering Guidance

Due to the nonspecific clinical presentation of influenza during the early stages of the illness, testing for other respiratory infections (eg, COVID-19) may be warranted. If this test is ordered with HPCOV / Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), Molecular Detection, Varies, then both tests will be canceled and automatically reordered by the laboratory as SCOF4 / Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), Influenza Virus Type A and Type B RNA, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies.

Specimen Required

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal swab

Container/Tube: Sterile container with viral transport media

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen with a minimum of 1.5 mL (maximum 3 mL) of transport media

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect specimen by swabbing back and forth over mucosa surface to maximize recovery of cells.

2. Swab must be placed into viral transport media (eg, M4-RT, M4 or M5), saline, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC).

Specimen Type: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Additional Information: Do not aliquot into viral transport media.

Acceptable:

Specimen Type: Oropharyngeal (throat) swab, nasal mid-turbinate, or nares/nasal swab

Supplies:

-Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)

-Swab, Sterile Polyester (T507)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: BBL Culture Swab or COPAN Mid-Turbinate Swab

Acceptable: Dacron-tipped swab with plastic handle

Submission Container/Tube: Swab in sterile container with transport media

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen with a minimum of 1.5 mL (maximum 3 mL) of transport media

Collection Instructions: Swab must be placed into viral transport media (eg, M4-RT, M4, or M5), saline, or PBS. Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC).

Specimen Type: Bronchial washings, endotracheal aspirate, sputum

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Additional Information: Do not aliquot into viral transport media.