Influenza A/B Antigen Screen

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:  Nasal washes, nasal swabs, throat swab

1. Acceptable specimens include nasal washes, nasal swabs, and throat swabs.  Only rayon or dacron-tipped swabs with aluminum or plastic shafts should be used.
2. Freshly collected specimens (less than 1 hour) may be tested without the use of transport media.  Transport to the laboratory immediately at room temperature.
3. If a delay of greater than 1 hour is expected, samples can be placed into a suitable transport medium, maintained at 2-8°C, and tested up to 72 hours after collection.
4. Suitable transport media includes:  M4RT, Phosphate buffered or normal saline, and Amies medium.

Specimen should be labeled with patient information, collection site, date and time of collection.

None

Negative for Influenza A antigen
Negative for Influenza B antigen

The clinical performance of rapid influenza tests can be affected by disease prevalence in the community and the specific subtype of the influenza virus.  This test cannot distinguish influenza infections caused by novel influenza A viruses (H1N1) versus seasonal influenza A viruses.  Negative results do not rule out influenza virus infection.

Calcium alginate swabs should not be used.

• Improperly labeled or unlabeled specimen
• Improperly stored/transported specimen
• Specimens without transport media more than 1 hour post collection
• Inappropriate transport medium or collection swab used for specimen collection
• Inappropriate specimen collection site

Viral Influenza