Hospital Influenza and RSV PCR Summer Testing Criteria

Summer is now upon us, and the RSV/Influenza season for 2025 appears to be over, with just occasional sporadic positive results now being observed.

From Saturday 25th October, we will be putting in place summer Influenza/RSV testing criteria.

Testing for Influenza/RSV will only be performed in the following circumstances:

• The patient is in ICU (or to be admitted to ICU)
• The patient is a baby ≤6 months old
• The test has had prior approval by an ID Physician or Clinical Microbiologist

The reasons for testing must be clearly indicated on the laboratory request form, or the test may be rejected.

We will continue to monitor the PHF Science National dashboard Respiratory illness dashboard for any out of season Influenza/RSV and reinstitute appropriate testing if this occurs.

Thank you for assisting us in the responsible use of our diagnostic tests.