DIAGNOSTYKA LABORATORYJNA WYBRANYCH WIRUSOWYCH ZAKAŻEŃ DRÓG ODDECHOWYCH.

Viral infections of the respiratory tract are the most common infectious diseases diagnosed and reported in Poland and an important cause of outpatient counseling as well as hospitalization. Many of these infections are caused by the influenza virus and RSV. The etiology of the disease cannot be determined based on clinical symptoms and is only possible with additional diagnostics. The diagnosis of the disease may be proven after conducting: rapid diagnostic tests based on the immunochromatographic or immunoenzymatic methods (characterized by moderate sensitivity, but are easy to perform and provide a result within 15 minutes after material collection); classical methods of molecular biology - real time RT-PCR (sensitive, but requiring specialized equipment; they provide a result within 4-5 hours after material collection); and fast molecular diagnostics - POC-real time PCR (sensitive, easy to perform and provides a result within 20-30 minutes of material collection). The use of rapid molecular diagnostic methods of infections caused by respiratory viruses (influenza and RSV) is simple and quick, as well as provides the opportunity to initiate proper and effective treatment of patients, their isolation and/or cohortation (allowing to reduce transmission of disease in the population). It also has a favorable economic dimension (reduced number of additional tests commissioned, reduction of antibiotic use, shortening the time of stay in the emergency room or hospital emergency department). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]