| Synonyms:
| Flu; Rapid Flu |
| Specimen: | Nasal swab, nasal washing or nasal aspirate.
Nasal swab; use ONLY sterile foam applicator.Following collection, place swab in 1 mL Universal Transport Medium (UTM). Both collection items are available from Purchasing (on-site locations) or from Outreach Processing Lab for client collections.
Nasal washing/aspirate, collect in a sterile urine container or other sterile leack proof container. Optimal specimen volume is approximately 1 mL. |
| Volume: | 1 swab or 1 mL nasal washing/aspirate |
| Minimum Volume: | 1 swab or 1 mL nasal washing/aspirate |
| Collection: | Swab is stable in UTM for 72 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C or at Room Temperature.
Nasal washing/aspirate is stable for 24 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C or at Room Temperature for 4 hours. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Improper collection or collection device; delayed transport;improper labeling. Culture Swab devices are unacceptable for testing with current flu kit. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Methodology: | |
| Test Use: | To aid in detection of current influenze A & B infections. |
| Additional Information: | The procedure distingusihes between influenza A and influenza B. |
| Testing Includes: | Tests for Influenza A & B. |
| Testing Facility: | AnMed Laboratory Services |