RSV typically causes seasonal outbreaks throughout the world. In the northern hemisphere, these usually occur from October or November to April or May, with a peak in January or February.
RSV is now recognised as an important pathogen in adults although infections are generally less severe than in children as it is limited to the upper respiratory tract.
RSV mainly causes mild infection however can cause severe symptoms in premature infants and those with underlying heart and lung disease and immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms include coughing, rhinorrhea, pharyngitis, decreased appetite to fever, wheezing and laboured breathing. Transmission is via aerosolisation or contact with respiratory secretions. The incubation period is 2-8 days and the period of infectivity 3-8 days.
Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) placed in up to 3 mL of viral transport media, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or sputum (collected in a sterile universal container).
The primary test for RSV offered by Enfer Medical is part of a respiratory panel, a qualitative RT-PCR assay which detects both RSV and Influenza A/B. This test is CE-IVD certified.
In addition to this assay, Enfer Medical also offers the RSV test as part of a larger extended respiratory panel which can be reviewed below. This test is CE-IVD certified.
| Viruses | Bacteria |
| Adenovirus | Bordetella parapertussis |
| Coronavirus (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43) | Bordetella pertussis |
| SARS-CoV-2 | Chlamydia pneumoniae |
| Human Metapneumovirus | Mycoplasma pneumoniae |
| Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus | |
| Influenza A (H1, H3, H1-2009) | |
| Influenza B | |
| Parainfluenza Virus (PIV-1, PIV-2, PIV-3, PIV-4) | |
| Respiratory Syncytial Virus |
For clients using the Enfer Medical Client Portal, the Enfer Medical Patient Request Form (PRF) will be generated when you have completed your “Test Request” within the portal linked below.
Please note that samples suspected of containing high risk pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be clearly identified on the form and packed separately from other samples.
Results are available next working day.
This assay is available seven days a week.
The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:
Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.
Samples must be tested within 4 hours of collection if stored at room temperature. Samples must be tested within 3 days of collection if stored at 2-8°C.
In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.
Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.
In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:
Please refer to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre for the Case Definitions for Notifiable Diseases:
Following receipt at the Laboratory, results should be available on the next working day and will be reported to the referring clinician via the Enfer Medical Client Portal or in a format agreed with clients.
Established clients can login to the portal using the link above.
