Virus Testing

Flu Virus Can a test that detects the common cold put an end to antibiotic-resistant superbugs?
by Kesshia Peyton
Published: Thu, December 04, 2008 - 8:41 am CST Last Updated: Thu, December 04, 2008 - 8:45 am CST
Can a test that detects the common cold put an end to antibiotic-resistant superbugs?
Doctors say antibiotics only kill bacterial infections. They're useless against viruses and misusing them creates resistant superbugs. The RVP test can identify the viruses that cause the most common respiratory infections.
"If it indeed is a viral infection, we can eliminate using antibiotics and get the patient, if appropriate, on appropriate anti-viral therapy," said Pathologist Dr. Mark Collins.
The RVP test analyzes and labels the information. If it is a virus causing the problem, a special laser pinpoints the patient's specific type.
"So, having the ability of identifying the pathogen and showing them it is truly, in fact a virus, would hopefully limit our use of antibiotics," said Pulmonologist Dr. Devang Doshi.
Doctors say the new test may help stop outbreaks by identifying the type of respiratory infection spreading through the community.
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