Best Practices in Diagnosing Respiratory Viral Disease

Abstract

We provide an overview of how respiratory virus testing has evolved over time, with a detailed discussion regarding the performance characteristics of the assays currently in use. We describe several strategies for using these assays to best serve patient needs while accounting for the infrastructure and resources of the testing facility. In this context, the pros and cons of testing strategies using specific patient-centered approaches, as well as testing strategies using more simplified broad approaches, are discussed. We further describe specific challenges common to all strategies. This includes a discussion regarding the effect variables, such as repeat testing (on the same and different specimen types) and proper specimen collection, can have on diagnostic yield. Finally, we address challenges pertaining to result interpretation and emphasize the importance of determining whether a respiratory virus test is even warranted for a given patient.