Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common pathogen causing respiratory infections in children. By the age of two, most children get an RSV infection, usually in the form of mild cold-like symptoms.
However, in some cases, viruses may lead to serious breathing problems. Also, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is very contagious, spreading from one person to another. That’s why RSV Test is essential in some cases for early diagnosis and treatment of the infection. We have the facility for the RSV test (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) at our center in Dearborn.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Test Types Available At Our Dearborn Center
All children don’t need to get tested for RSV, only high-risk people with severe respiratory symptoms need to get RSV ruled out through its test. These include:
○ Infants under the age of six months
○ Older people above the age of 65
○ People with heart or lung disease
○ Those with a weak immune system
Our healthcare providers at the Dearborn Center facilitate you by providing on-site RSV testing. Two types of tests are used to diagnose the infection:
- Rapid RSV antigen tests: These are by far the most common tests used for RSV. Our professionals at the Dearborn Center take a sample from your nose and then check it for certain proteins of RSV called antigens. These antigens stimulate your immune system that attacks the virus. Rapid antigen tests provide results within an hour.
- Molecular tests: Also known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, these are based on the presence of genetic material from RSV. Again using a nasal swab, our healthcare professionals collect a sample of your nasal secretions. The sample is then sent to the laboratory at our Dearborn Center to look for virus genetic material.
So, this technique enables us to detect even smaller amounts of the virus than antigen tests.
As a result, the RT-PCR test is more useful in older children and adults, who have fewer viruses in their noses than infants and younger children.
Who needs RSV testing?
RSV usually causes a self-limiting mild illness in healthy adults and older children, with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and headache. These are resolved in most cases within a week with conservative measures. But if the symptoms start worsening in any person in the form of:
- ○ Fever
- ○ Wheezing
- ○ Severe cough
- ○ Trouble breathing
- ○ Blue skin tone
In these cases, RSV testing is required. However, in infants younger than six months, symptoms might differ from adults; these include:
- ○ Drowsiness or being less active
- ○ Not taking feed
- ○ Getting irritable
- ○ Pauses in breathing
Again, if any of these symptoms appear, RSV testing is a must.
A negative RSV test result means no signs of the respiratory syncytial virus were found in the sample. There are two reasons for that:
- Not enough RSV virus was found in the sample.
- Any other illness that might be causing symptoms must be ruled out.
A positive result means that you are likely to have an RSV infection.
Don’t dismiss your flu and cough as minor ailments. After COVID-19, we need to be extra careful in terms of respiratory infections. If you are having severe or prolonged flu symptoms, have any underlying heart or lung condition, or are older than 65 years, take advantage of the opportunity of our Dearborn Center professional health care providers to do on-site testing for you.