Molecular Test for Simultaneous Detection of 3 Viruses: A and B of Influenza and SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV can cause infections that present with very similar symptoms, making clinical differentiation very difficult.

SARS-CoV-2 is associated with various clinical outcomes, including asymptomatic infection, mild upper respiratory infection, severe lower respiratory infection including pneumonia and respiratory failure, and in some cases, death.

Influenza is a contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza transmission is mainly through aerosolized droplets (ie through coughing or sneezing) and usually peaks in the winter months. Symptoms usually include fever, chills, headache, malaise, cough and sinus congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms (ie, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) may also occur, mostly in children, but are less common. Symptoms generally appear within two days of exposure to an infected person. Pneumonia can occur as a complication of influenza infection, causing increased morbidity and mortality in pediatric, elderly, and immunocompromised populations.

Influenza viruses are classified into types A, B and C, of ​​which the first two cause most human infections. Influenza A (Flu A) is the most common type of influenza virus in humans and is generally responsible for seasonal influenza epidemics and potentially pandemics. Influenza A viruses can also infect animals such as birds, pigs and horses. Influenza B infections are generally limited to humans and are less often the cause of epidemics. Influenza A viruses are further classified into subtypes based on two surface proteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). Seasonal influenza is usually caused by subtypes H1, H2, H3, N1, and N2 of influenza A.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a member of the Pneumoviridae (formerly Paramyxoviridae) family, composed of two strains (subgroups A and B), is also the cause of an infectious disease that mainly affects infants, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised (e.g., patients with chronic lung disease or being treated for conditions that reduce the strength of their immune system). The virus can cause upper respiratory infections such as colds and lower respiratory infections that manifest as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. By the age of two, most children have already been infected with RSV, and because only weak immunity develops, both children and adults can become infected again. RSV remains the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants worldwide. Symptoms appear four to six days after infection and are usually self-limiting, lasting about one to two weeks in infants. In adults, the infection lasts about 5 days and manifests itself with symptoms consistent with a cold, such as a runny nose, fatigue, headache and fever. RSV season is usually flu-like, with infections starting to increase in the fall and lasting until early spring.

The use of assays that provide rapid results to identify patients infected with these viruses can be an important factor in effective screening, appropriate treatment selection, and prevention of widespread outbreaks.

The procedure is simple, safe and painless, with only one (1) nasopharyngeal swab, it detects the possible existence of (3) three viruses separately: Covid-19, influenza and RSV, answering the question of differential diagnosis.

The examination is provided at the price of 130 euros and is carried out in Iatropolis ​​Chalandri, Argyroupoli, Ilion, Keratsini, Peristeri and Metamorfosi, without an appointment, observing the international safety protocols. There is also the option of home testing, after contacting our call center at 210-6796000, at a price of 150 euros. The results are available within 24h.