Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities for Public Health Units in Australia

Appendix 7: Sample Collection Guide*

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Viral Pathogens	Test	Specimen	Equipment required to collect Specimens
Influenza A and B Parainfluenza 1,2,3 RSV Adenovirus Picornavirus Metapneumovirus	PCR or Viral Culture	Throat and nose (Left and right nostril) swabs   Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA)/Nasopharyngeal swab	PCR/culture collection kit  Virus transport media Cotton-tipped swabs Biohazard plastic bags Wooden spatulas Gloves Masks Marker pen Esky with multiple ice bricks Request forms Swab collection instructions Tissues Plastic bag (for rubbish)
Influenza A and B Parainfluenza 1,2,3 RSV Adenovirus	Immunofluoescence	Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) / Nasopharyngeal swab   Throat and nose (Left and right nostril) swabs	NPS collection swabs or NPA aspirate equipment Biohazard plastic bags Gloves Masks Marker pen Esky with multiple ice bricks Request forms NPA collection instructions Tissues Plastic bag (for rubbish)
Influenza A and B Parainfluenza 1,2,3 RSV Adenovirus	Serology	Acute sera: within 1 week of onset. Convalescent sera: 2-4 weeks after onset. Influenza seroconversion may be missed if the convalescent specimen is obtained within 2 weeks of the onset of illness.	10 ml clotted blood

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