Approximately 50% of common colds are caused by rhinoviruses, affecting people of all ages.
Enteroviruses may be associated with more severe illness especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Approximately 50% of common colds are caused by rhinoviruses, affecting people of all ages.
Enteroviruses may be associated with more severe illness especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Rhinovirus/enterovirus infections are often asymptomatic but where symptoms occur, they include fever, nasal congestion, cough and myalgia. Severe complications are rare, the most common complications include sinusitis and bronchitis.
The average incubation period ranges from 3-10 days. Uncomplicated infections last for 7-10 days in adults but can last longer in children. Infections are spread from person-to-person through close contact with respiratory secretions. Enteroviruses can also be spread through the faecal/oral route.
Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) placed in up to 3 mL of viral transport media, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or sputum (collected in a sterile universal container).
The test for Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus offered by Enfer Medical is carried out by real-time multiplexed PCR, as part of an extended respiratory panel. This test is CE-IVD certified.
Viruses | Bacteria |
Adenovirus | Bordetella parapertussis |
Coronavirus (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43) | Bordetella pertussis |
SARS-CoV-2 | Chlamydia pneumoniae |
Human Metapneumovirus | Mycoplasma pneumoniae |
Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus | |
Influenza A (H1, H3, H1-2009) | |
Influenza B | |
Parainfluenza Virus (PIV-1, PIV-2, PIV-3, PIV-4) | |
Respiratory Syncytial Virus |
For clients using the Enfer Medical Client Portal, the Enfer Medical Patient Request Form (PRF) will be generated when you have completed your “Test Request” within the portal linked below.
Please note that samples suspected of containing high risk pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be clearly identified on the form and packed separately from other samples.
Results are available next working day.
This assay is available seven days a week.
The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:
Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.
Samples must be tested within 4 hours of collection if stored at room temperature. Samples must be tested within 3 days of collection if stored at 2-8°C.
In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.
Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.
In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:
Following receipt at the Laboratory, results should be available on the next working day and will be reported to the referring clinician via the Enfer Medical Client Portal or in a format agreed with clients.
Established clients can login to the portal using the link above.