Test that shows the difference between influenza and VOCID: “It is the only way to know if the patient is infected with the influenza virus or SARS-VOC 2”

Samples are collected as an exudate from the nasopharyngeal airways and processed by a polymerization reaction. The method applied in this case is identical to that of the tests for the detection of the SARS-VOC 2 virus and involves extraction, amplification and detection operations.

The apparatus used in this analysis uses an automatic processing procedure, which minimizes the influence of the human factor. These tests identify influenza A virus (influenza A virus) with the subtype AH1N1, influenza B virus (influenza B virus), and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus type A and B).

“From the sample that reaches our laboratory, we extract the genetic material, DNA and RNA, as well as in the case of the SARS VOC 2 virus. We introduce it into the device and amplify it using the PCR method. The advantage is that we have the result in a very short time, just one hour. By the old method, before we had these tests, the results were only obtained after two days. “says Valerica Bica Profir, physician-biologist, Biology Laboratory of the Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pneumoftiziology Victor Babeş Timişoara.

The sensitivity and specificity of these tests exceed 98 percent.

“Most respiratory infections are caused by influenza viruses. However, the symptoms of the flu overlap with some of the symptoms of the new coronavirus infection and we are talking about fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue. So we are talking about a common symptomatology. The test is the only way to know if the patient is infected with the influenza virus or SARS-VOC 2 “. says Prof. Dr. Cristian Oancea, director of the Victor Babeş Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pneumoftiziology in Timişoara.

Last year, at the Victor Babeş Timişoara Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pneumoftiziology, more than 1,400 influenza tests were performed.

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