Sore Throat Respiratory Panel

About this test

This comprehensive molecular respiratory panel tests for 19 distinct pathogens — viruses, bacteria, and atypical organisms — that can cause upper and lower respiratory illness, including sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, and flu-like illness. Using PCR-based detection from a throat swab, it identifies the specific cause of a respiratory infection with far greater accuracy than symptom-based diagnosis alone.

Respiratory infections caused by different pathogens often look identical clinically. This panel removes the guesswork — distinguishing between viral illnesses that require rest and supportive care, bacterial infections that respond to antibiotics, and atypical organisms that require specific antibiotic classes. It is particularly useful when symptoms are persistent, severe, or when empiric treatment has not led to improvement.

Components

• SARS-CoV-2: Detects active COVID-19 infection by PCR. Early identification supports timely antiviral treatment and appropriate isolation measures.
• Influenza A: One of the primary causes of seasonal flu. PCR detection is more sensitive than rapid antigen tests, particularly early in illness, and a positive result supports antiviral treatment decisions.
• Influenza B: A seasonal flu strain typically causing similar symptoms to influenza A. Both strains are treatable with prescription antivirals when caught early.
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): A leading cause of respiratory illness across all age groups, and a common cause of serious illness in infants and older adults. Identification helps guide monitoring and protections for vulnerable contacts.
• Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus: The most frequent cause of the common cold. Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses share similar PCR targets and are grouped together; most infections resolve without treatment, though enteroviruses can occasionally cause more severe respiratory disease.
• Parainfluenza Virus: A group of viruses (types 1–4) that commonly cause croup in children and upper respiratory infections in adults. There is no specific antiviral treatment; identification helps rule out other causes and guides supportive care.
• Streptococcus Pyogenes (Group A Strep): The bacterium responsible for strep throat and scarlet fever. Unlike viral sore throats, Group A Strep infections require antibiotic treatment to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever. PCR detection is highly sensitive and does not require a culture.
• Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: An atypical bacterium and one of the most common causes of "walking pneumonia." It does not respond to standard penicillin-class antibiotics and requires a different class of antibiotic — your clinician can advise on the appropriate treatment.
• Chlamydia Pneumoniae: Another atypical bacterium that causes respiratory infections ranging from bronchitis to pneumonia. Like Mycoplasma, it requires a specific antibiotic class and cannot be detected by standard cultures.
• Adenovirus: A group of viruses that can cause sore throat, conjunctivitis, fever, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Usually self-limiting in healthy individuals but can be severe in immunocompromised patients.
• Coronavirus (Seasonal sCoV): Detects non-COVID seasonal human coronaviruses (distinct from SARS-CoV-2), which are responsible for a meaningful proportion of common colds and mild respiratory illness year-round.
• Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV): A significant but often underrecognized cause of respiratory illness in children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms resemble RSV and flu; identification helps rule out treatable causes.
• Klebsiella Pneumoniae: A gram-negative bacterium that can cause severe pneumonia, particularly in healthcare settings and in people with underlying lung disease or weakened immunity. Early identification is important because of its potential for antibiotic resistance.
• Bordetella Parapertussis: A bacterium that causes a pertussis-like illness (whooping cough) that is typically milder than classic pertussis but can still cause prolonged cough. It does not respond to the standard pertussis vaccine.
• Bordetella Pertussis: The bacterium responsible for whooping cough — a highly contagious respiratory infection characterized by severe coughing fits. Early antibiotic treatment can reduce severity and prevent spread to vulnerable contacts, including infants.
• Streptococcus Pneumoniae: A leading bacterial cause of pneumonia, sinusitis, and ear infections. Identification guides antibiotic selection and helps assess severity, particularly in older adults and people with chronic conditions.
• Haemophilus Influenzae: A bacterium (unrelated to influenza viruses) that can cause pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, and ear infections. Antibiotic treatment is effective when identified early.
• Legionella Pneumophila: The bacterium responsible for Legionnaires' disease — a severe form of pneumonia typically acquired from contaminated water sources such as cooling towers or plumbing systems. It requires specific antibiotic treatment and is not spread person to person.
• Human Bocavirus: A parvovirus associated with upper and lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in young children. It can cause wheezing and bronchiolitis and is often found alongside other respiratory pathogens.

Who is this test for?

This panel is appropriate for anyone with acute respiratory symptoms — sore throat, persistent cough, fever, or signs of pneumonia — who needs a precise diagnosis rather than empiric treatment. It is particularly valuable when symptoms have not improved with initial management, when a bacterial cause needs to be confirmed before starting antibiotics, or when the illness is severe enough that identifying the exact pathogen will change the course of care.