What is a respiratory pathogens (RP) panel?

A respiratory pathogens (RP) panel checks for pathogens in your respiratory tract. A pathogen is a virus, bacteria, or other organism that causes an illness. Your respiratory tract, or respiratory system, includes the parts of your body that are involved in breathing. This includes your lungs, nose, and throat.

Many types of viruses and bacteria can cause respiratory tract infections. The symptoms are often similar, but their treatments can be different. Many respiratory infections clear up on their own with no specific treatment other than resting and drinking fluids. But for other types of infections, you may need to take medicine.

For most respiratory infections, your health care provider will make a diagnosis and determine treatment based on:

• Your symptoms
• Your medical history
• The season of the year; some infections are more common during certain times of the year
• Your recent travel (if any)
• Which respiratory infections are most common at the time

But if you have a serious illness, are hospitalized, or are at risk for complications, your provider may order a respiratory pathogens panel. Identifying what is causing your respiratory infection can help determine the best treatment. It can also help you avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics, which are not used to treat viral infections.

An RP panel only needs a single sample to test for various viruses and bacteria. The results usually come in a few hours. This is faster than other respiratory tests, where the results can take a few days. Getting results earlier can allow you to start the right treatment more quickly.

Other names: RP panel, respiratory virus profile, syndromic multiplex panel, multiplex respiratory panel, multi-pathogen molecular assay

What is it used for?

Which pathogens an RP panel tests for can vary from one panel to another. But many of the panels often test for:

Viral infections such as:

• Flu.
• Common cold.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This is a common and usually mild respiratory infection. But it can be dangerous to babies and the elderly.
• Adenovirus infection. Adenoviruses cause many different types of infections. These include pneumonia and croup, an infection that causes hoarse, barking coughs.
• COVID-19.

Bacterial infections such as:

• Whooping cough.
• Bacterial pneumonia.

Why do I need a respiratory pathogens panel?

You may need this test if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and are seriously ill, hospitalized, or at risk for complications. Most respiratory infections cause mild to moderate symptoms. But they can be serious or even life-threatening to young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of a respiratory infection include:

• Coughing
• Trouble breathing
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

What happens during a respiratory pathogens panel?

There are two ways your provider may take a sample for testing:

Nasopharyngeal swab:

• You will tip your head back.
• Your provider will gently insert a swab into your nostril, pushing it until you feel it stopping. This is about 1 to 2 inches into your nostril, until it reaches the top part of your throat.
• Your provider will rotate the swab and remove it.

Nasal aspirate:

• Your provider will squirt a saline solution (salt water) into your nose and remove the sample with gentle suction.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don't need any special preparations for a respiratory pathogens panel.

Are there any risks to the test?

The swab test may tickle your throat or cause you to cough. The nasal aspirate may be uncomfortable or cause your eyes to tear. These effects are temporary.

What do the results mean?

A negative result may mean your symptoms were caused by a pathogen not included in the panel of tests. It could also mean that your sample was not collected correctly, the sample wasn't large enough, or you have a condition not caused by a virus or bacteria.

A positive result means a specific pathogen was found. It tells you which type of infection you have. If more than one part of the panel was positive, it means you may be infected with more than one pathogen. This is known as a co-infection.

Based on your results, your provider will recommend treatment and/or order more tests. These may include a bacteria culture, viral blood tests, and a Gram stain. The tests may help confirm your diagnosis and guide treatment.

If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider. To understand the results of a respiratory pathogens panel, your provider may consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other blood tests.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Is there anything else I need to know about a respiratory pathogens panel?

Respiratory infections are common and can be contagious. They may be spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with contaminated surfaces even before you start showing symptoms. You may help prevent getting or spreading a respiratory infection by:

• Washing your hands thoroughly and often
• Using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoiding close contact with people who have a respiratory infection
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
• Getting a yearly flu shot
• Getting COVID-19 vaccines (as recommended by your provider)