Influenzae A/B
RSV
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Influenza A, Influenza B, and RSV are common respiratory viruses that cause seasonal outbreaks, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
Influenza A is highly variable and classified into subtypes (e.g., H1N1, H3N2) based on its surface proteins. It infects both humans and animals and is the primary cause of influenza pandemics due to frequent genetic changes (antigenic shift and drift).
Influenza B, which only infects humans, has two main circulating lineages (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata). It tends to cause less severe illness than influenza A but can still result in serious complications.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections, especially in infants and young children. It can also cause significant illness in older adults and those with chronic heart or lung disease. RSV typically circulates in the fall and winter months, overlapping with influenza season.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing is the most accurate diagnostic method for detecting influenza A, influenza B, and RSV. It identifies the viral genetic material (RNA) and offers high sensitivity and specificity. Multiplex PCR panels are widely used in hospitals and clinics to detect multiple respiratory pathogens in a single test, facilitating rapid diagnosis, infection control, and appropriate treatment.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 18). Types of influenza viruses. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, September 15). Information on rapid molecular assays, RT-PCR, and other molecular assays for diagnosis of influenza virus infection. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/molecular-assays.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 12). Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
World Health Organization. (2023). Influenza (seasonal). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)
Influenza A, Influenza B, and RSV are common respiratory viruses that cause seasonal outbreaks, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
Influenza A is highly variable and classified into subtypes (e.g., H1N1, H3N2) based on its surface proteins. It infects both humans and animals and is the primary cause of influenza pandemics due to frequent genetic changes (antigenic shift and drift).
Influenza B, which only infects humans, has two main circulating lineages (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata). It tends to cause less severe illness than influenza A but can still result in serious complications.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections, especially in infants and young children. It can also cause significant illness in older adults and those with chronic heart or lung disease. RSV typically circulates in the fall and winter months, overlapping with influenza season.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing is the most accurate diagnostic method for detecting influenza A, influenza B, and RSV. It identifies the viral genetic material (RNA) and offers high sensitivity and specificity. Multiplex PCR panels are widely used in hospitals and clinics to detect multiple respiratory pathogens in a single test, facilitating rapid diagnosis, infection control, and appropriate treatment.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 18). Types of influenza viruses. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, September 15). Information on rapid molecular assays, RT-PCR, and other molecular assays for diagnosis of influenza virus infection. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/molecular-assays.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 12). Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
World Health Organization. (2023). Influenza (seasonal). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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