ID Labs — Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory

Respiratory Infection

Pneumonia and respiratory tract infections are leading causes of admission; viral and bacterial aetiologies require different management.

Respiratory infections — from upper respiratory illness to radiologically confirmed pneumonia and bronchiolitis — account for a large share of hospital consultations and admissions. Clinical features cannot reliably separate viral from bacterial causes.

Multiplex respiratory panels on nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum or BAL detect the common viral and bacterial pathogens in one test, supporting appropriate isolation, antiviral or antibacterial therapy, and antimicrobial stewardship.