According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 60 million people in the US will contract influenza this year. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus which also circulates during the same time period.
Influenza and RSV tests are often run simultaneously on the same patient specimens. The rapid diagnosis of influenza offers physicians the ability to treat promptly patients with antiviral medications and to avoid the prescribing of antibiotics that have no effect on influenza or RSV.
John Kraeutler, president and COO, said: “Upper respiratory disease caused by pathogens such as influenza and RSV are of serious worldwide concern. Our new Tru products are designed to provide rapid, accurate results with additional safety benefits for the lab. These new tests, which will be available during the current quarter, are manufactured at Meridian and are expected to improve profitability.”