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Basic Influenza Panel by RT-PCR
Bacterial/ Viral
4 parameters
Report in 12Hrs
At Home
No Fasting Required
Details
Can detect Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2), Influenza B, and other subtypes
₹6,499₹8,450
23% OFF
Parameters
- List of Tests
- Influenza A RNA
- Influenza B RNA
- Influenza A subtype H1N1 RNA
- Influenza B subtype H3N2 RNA
Basic Influenza Panel by RT-PCR
- Why is it done?
- The Basic Influenza Panel by RT-PCR is a molecular diagnostic test that detects the presence of influenza virus RNA in respiratory specimens to confirm active influenza infection
- Influenza A RNA detection identifies the presence of Influenza A virus, the most common influenza strain responsible for seasonal and pandemic outbreaks
- Influenza B RNA detection identifies Influenza B virus, which typically causes milder disease but remains clinically significant
- Influenza A subtype H1N1 RNA testing specifically identifies the H1N1 strain, which has pandemic potential and requires targeted surveillance
- Influenza B subtype H3N2 RNA testing specifically identifies the H3N2 strain, another significant seasonal influenza subtype
- Test is primarily indicated during acute respiratory illness with fever, cough, and/or sore throat during influenza season (typically October through April in the Northern Hemisphere)
- Recommended within the first 3-4 days of symptom onset for optimal sensitivity and to guide antiviral therapy initiation
- Used for hospitalized patients, patients at high risk for complications, healthcare workers, and individuals in congregate settings
- The individual tests work together to provide comprehensive identification of influenza type and specific strain, enabling strain-specific antiviral therapy and epidemiologic surveillance
- RT-PCR methodology (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) provides highly sensitive and specific detection of viral RNA, with detection capability even at low viral loads
- Normal Range
- Influenza A RNA: Negative (Not Detected) - indicates absence of Influenza A virus RNA in the specimen
- Influenza B RNA: Negative (Not Detected) - indicates absence of Influenza B virus RNA in the specimen
- Influenza A subtype H1N1 RNA: Negative (Not Detected) - indicates absence of H1N1 strain RNA in the specimen
- Influenza B subtype H3N2 RNA: Negative (Not Detected) - indicates absence of H3N2 strain RNA in the specimen
- Note: This test does not use quantitative measurements (mg/dL, mmol/L, etc.) as it is a qualitative molecular detection assay
- Result interpretation: Negative = normal/expected finding indicating no active influenza infection for that particular virus type or strain
- Positive result = abnormal finding indicating active or recent influenza infection with detectable viral RNA
- Indeterminate/Inconclusive results may occasionally occur due to specimen quality issues and may require repeat testing
- Interpretation
- Influenza A RNA - Positive result: Indicates confirmed active Influenza A infection; patient requires antiviral therapy such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir, peramivir, or baloxavir
- Influenza A RNA - Positive result: Mandates respiratory isolation precautions and notification of infection control, particularly for hospitalized patients or high-risk individuals
- Influenza B RNA - Positive result: Indicates confirmed active Influenza B infection; similar antiviral therapy and infection control measures apply
- Influenza B RNA - Positive result: Typically associated with milder clinical course than Influenza A but still requires antiviral treatment in symptomatic or at-risk patients
- Influenza A subtype H1N1 RNA - Positive result: Indicates H1N1 strain infection; important for surveillance, outbreak investigation, and targeted public health response
- Influenza A subtype H1N1 RNA - Positive result: May require notification to public health authorities depending on local regulations and epidemiological significance
- Influenza B subtype H3N2 RNA - Positive result: Indicates H3N2 strain infection; typically represents seasonal influenza circulation pattern
- All negative results: Suggest either absence of influenza infection or testing performed too late/early in illness course; alternative diagnoses should be considered
- False negatives may occur if: specimen obtained >7-10 days after symptom onset, inadequate specimen quality, improper collection/transport, or very early in infection
- False positives are extremely rare with RT-PCR methodology but may result from contamination or specimen mix-up
- Clinical correlation with symptoms and epidemiological context is essential for accurate result interpretation
- Associated Organs
- All Influenza Panel Tests - Primary organ system: Upper and lower respiratory tract, including nasopharynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs
- Influenza A RNA - Associated diseases: Seasonal influenza, pandemic influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Influenza A RNA - Potential complications: Secondary bacterial pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis, acute kidney injury, sepsis, multi-organ failure
- Influenza B RNA - Associated diseases: Seasonal influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheobronchitis
- Influenza B RNA - Potential complications: Secondary bacterial superinfection, acute otitis media, sinusitis, Reye syndrome (particularly in children), myositis
- Influenza A subtype H1N1 RNA - Associated with: More severe respiratory disease in younger populations, pandemic potential, higher hospitalization rates in certain demographics
- Influenza A subtype H1N1 RNA - Potential complications: Severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, systemic inflammation
- Influenza B subtype H3N2 RNA - Associated with: Typical seasonal influenza pattern, variable severity depending on vaccine match
- Influenza B subtype H3N2 RNA - Potential complications: Secondary infections, exacerbation of chronic lung disease, acute exacerbation of asthma or COPD
- Secondary organ involvement may include: Heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis, neurological complications), kidneys (acute kidney injury in severe cases), liver (transient elevation in liver enzymes)
- Immune system: Systemic inflammatory response with elevated cytokines and chemokines contributing to pathogenesis
- Follow-up Tests
- If positive for Influenza A RNA: Chest X-ray if pneumonia suspected, pulse oximetry/arterial blood gas if respiratory compromise present
- If positive for Influenza B RNA: Similar imaging and laboratory workup as Influenza A for hospitalized or severely ill patients
- If positive for H1N1 or H3N2: Blood cultures if bacterial superinfection suspected, procalcitonin to differentiate viral from bacterial infection
- Recommended for all positive results: Complete blood count (CBC) to assess for leukopenia or lymphopenia; liver function tests (LFTs); renal function tests (creatinine, BUN)
- If negative but high clinical suspicion: Repeat RT-PCR in 24 hours if initial testing performed within first 24 hours of symptom onset
- If negative and alternative diagnosis needed: Consider respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) PCR, parainfluenza PCR, adenovirus PCR, rhinovirus PCR, SARS-CoV-2 PCR
- Multiplex respiratory pathogen panels recommended if influenza testing is negative to identify alternative viral etiology
- For hospitalized or severely ill patients: D-dimer to assess for thromboembolism risk, troponin if myocardial involvement suspected, inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP)
- Monitoring frequency: Clinical assessment every 24-48 hours for hospitalized patients; repeat imaging as clinically indicated for progressive disease
- For antiviral resistance assessment: Viral sequencing may be considered in cases of treatment failure or clinical deterioration despite appropriate therapy
- Contact investigation: Serological testing (influenza-specific antibodies) may be performed on contacts 2-3 weeks after exposure if diagnosis uncertain
- Fasting Required?
- Fasting Required: No - The Basic Influenza Panel by RT-PCR does not require fasting and can be performed at any time of day
- Specimen collection method: This test requires a respiratory specimen obtained via nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, nasal aspirate, or lower respiratory secretions
- No dietary restrictions: Patients may eat and drink normally before the test; no liquids, solids, or food limitations apply
- No medication restrictions: Continue all regularly prescribed medications without interruption; no pre-test medication adjustments necessary
- Specific patient preparation: Respiratory specimen should ideally be collected within 3-4 days of symptom onset for optimal sensitivity
- Before specimen collection: Patients should not rinse mouth or gargle immediately prior to nasopharyngeal swabbing to ensure optimal viral yield
- Specimen handling: Swabs must be placed in appropriate viral transport medium and kept at 2-8°C until processing; some laboratories allow room temperature transport
- Specimen quality important: Inadequate specimen (insufficient cells, dry swabs, or improper collection) may result in false negative results or rejected specimen status
- Timing recommendations: Test ideally performed within 7 days of symptom onset; testing after 10 days reduces sensitivity significantly
- Turnaround time: Results typically available within 24-48 hours; rapid (15-60 minute) PCR platforms may be available in some settings
How our test process works!

