Get fast and accurate results with respiratory nasal testing from Chabado Genomics.
Exciting, new technologies are always emerging to detect bacteria, fungi, and viruses faster so patients can receive the care they need. Respiratory nasal testing is one of these newer technologies. Improved specimen collection methods and testing allow such samples to be thoroughly evaluated on-site at our laboratory. Nasal testing may be used to confirm infections from less-common sources, as well as strains of common respiratory infections such as:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchiolitis
- Influenza
Sample Collection
Most tests for respiratory nasal issues are tested with a sample collected on a nasal swab. The only exception is for influenza testing, which may also be collected with a throat swab. Otherwise, collection is done with a nasal swab, a less-invasive form of collection often preferred by patients. Samples are typically collected while the patient holds their head back as a sterile swab is gentle inserted into the nasal passage until some resistance is felt. Samples may also be suctioned out with an aspirator.
Evaluation of Samples
Testing is done after the collected bacteria, fungi, or viruses are allowed to multiply so they can be easier to detect and identify. A common type of sample that may be sent to our lab is a nasopharyngeal culture, typically collected in a doctor’s office with a nose swab. If a virus is suspected, a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay may be performed. A PCR assay is useful because it allows for the identification of eight different respiratory viruses.
Reasons for Respiratory Nasal Testing
Patients experiencing persistent symptoms that include chest congestion, coughing, and a runny nose likely have some type of respiratory infection. The purpose of any type of respiratory nasal testing is to identify what organisms are responsible for the presented symptoms so appropriate medications can be prescribed. Respiratory nasal testing may be ordered for several reasons, including:
- Standard antibiotic treatments aren’t working for a suspected respiratory infection
- It’s necessary to identify the particular strain of a virus, bacteria, or fungus
- To determine if a recommended course of antibiotics is effectively decreasing the presence of a particular bacteria strain, fungus, or virus
- An infection may have potentially life-threatening complications if not quickly identified and treated
- It’s suspected that a chronic illness is due to mold and/or mycotoxins in the respiratory system
Benefits of Respiratory Nasal Testing
Samples for nasal testing are easy to collect. Oftentimes, swabs can be collected while a patient is visiting their primary care physician. Swabs or nasal washes can then be conveniently sent to our lab for processing. Respiratory nasal testing may be performed as a stand-alone test or combined with other tests, such as tissue biopsies and blood tests, to develop a better idea of what’s going on within the body.
Chabado Genomics is one of the few laboratories in the United States to offer respiratory nasal testing, an exclusive testing method that often results in prompt, accurate results. Delivering results as efficiently as possible allows us to provide the answers physicians need to make important treatment decisions as soon as possible.