New testing technology can accurately distinguish between a viral and a bacterial infection for respiratory illness, according to a new study proving feasibility.
The critical difference determines whether antibiotics are warranted. And, importantly, the test may provide results in under an hour.
When patients complain of coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and fever, doctors are often stumped because they have no fundamental tool to identify the source of the respiratory symptoms and guide appropriate treatments. The new technology could solve that problem.
“This is exciting progress,” says study lead Ephraim Tsalik, associate professor in the medicine and molecular genetics and microbiology departments at Duke University School of Medicine.