MILPITAS, Calif., Nov 2, 2022 — IGeneX Laboratory, a leading COVID-19 testing provider for hospitals, assisted living facilities, and professional sports teams, has added Flu and RSV testing to its test menu. The company is offering a single test, requiring only one nasal swab, that detects all three illnesses.
Experts are concerned that RSV, coupled with COVID and the Flu, may result in what’s being dubbed as a “tripledemic” this winter. While most cases involving COVID, Flu and RSV are likely to be mild, the viruses combined could result in millions of Americans falling ill, which could overload hospitals, according to a recent report from The New York Times.
Although many people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and the Flu, it’s clear, due to uncertainty surrounding vaccine immunity, that testing will play a critical role in ensuring safety across many aspects of life. Moreover, there is currently no vaccine for RSV, so testing remains the best way to determine exposure.
“IGeneX is pleased to offer COVID, Flu, and RSV testing for our customers,” says Dr. Jyotsna Shah, President and Laboratory Director at IGeneX. “This is something we have been asked for repeatedly this year, as cases of both the Flu and RSV continue to rise.”
The 2022-2023 Flu season is shaping up to be more severe than in the past few years. Even before Flu season began, back in spring 2022, cases of Influenza began trending well above average for the past three years, reaching nearly 950,000 cases weekly by mid-October (compared to around 400,000 at the same time in 2019, just before the pandemic began).
Likewise, some hospitals are reporting an increase in the number of patients becoming infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is akin to the common cold. Although adults and older healthy children typically only experience mild symptoms from the illness, children under 5, and seniors that may have weak immune systems, are at risk for more severe infection.
How to Order the COVID-19 + Flu + RSV Combo Test
1. Contact IGeneX at 1-800-832-3200 or at igenex.com to learn more about the test and pricing. In many cases, insurance or Medicare will cover the cost of testing.
2. IGeneX will provide test kits free of charge, as well as guidance on how to collect specimens and organize transportation of specimens to IGeneX.
3. Results will be provided between 24-36 hours after receipt of samples. Results will be reported to County and State Health Departments where required.
The COVID-19 + Flu + RSV Combo Test uses TaqMan SARS-CoV-2, Flu A/B and RSV RT-PCR Assay Kits in conjunction with the MagMAX Viral/Pathogen Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit from Thermo Fisher. Real Time RT-PCR assays are performed and results are interpreted using the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 12 Real-Time PCR Instrument for detection of SARS-CoV-2, Flu A/B and RSV specific RNA in clinical samples.
For more information on how to get tested, please contact IGeneX today at 1-800-832-3200 or visit igenex.com.
