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    These documents provide guidance for clinicians and public health professionals in the United States on appropriate testing, specimen collection and processing for patients who may be infected with avian influenza viruses.

    Guidance Documents
    • Specimen Collection and Testing for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses with Potential to Cause Severe Disease in Humans
    • Specimen Collection and Testing for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Disease in Humans
    • Diagnostics for Detecting H7N9 Using rRT-PCR
    • CDC and USDA: Interim Risk Assessment and Biosafety Level Recommendations for Working with Influenza A (H7N9) Viruses
    Related Links
    • World Health Organization (WHO): Laboratory biorisk management for laboratories handling human specimens suspected or confirmed to contain avian influenza A (H7N9) virus causing human disease Interim recommendations Cdc-pdf[76 KB, 7 pages]External

    Additional Resources

    Video: Nasopharyngeal Swab

    Video on Nasopharyngeal Swab

    » Click here to watch video

    Video: Aspirate Nasal Wash

    Video on Aspirate Nasal Wash

    » Click here to watch video

    Cdc-pdfInfluenza Specimen Collection

    Influenza Specimen Collection Desk Reference Guide

    Desk Reference GuideCdc-pdf[106 KB, 1 Page, 8½” x 11”]

    Page last reviewed: April 6, 2017
    Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
    home Avian Flu
    • Bird Flu Basics expand
      • Avian Influenza Type A Viruses
      • Bird Flu in Birds
      • Bird Flu in People expand
        • Spread of Bird Flu Viruses Between Animals and People
        • Examples of Human Infections with Avian Influenza A Viruses with Possible Limited, Non-Sustained Human-to-Human Transmission
    • Prevention and Treatment
    • Information for Specific Groups expand
      • Information for People Exposed to Birds Infected with Avian Influenza Viruses of Public Health Concern
      • Recommendations for Worker Protection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
      • Self-Observation Instructions for Demobilizing Bird Flu Responders
    • Current Situation
    • Specific Avian Flu Viruses expand
      • Avian Influenza Type A Viruses
      • Asian Avian Influenza A (H5N1) expand
        • H5N1 in Birds and Other Animals
        • H5N1 in People
        • Public Health Threat of Highly Pathogenic Asian Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
        • H5N1 Genetic Changes Inventory expand
          • Inventory Preamble
          • Inventory
          • Questions & Answers: H5N1 Genetic Change Inventory
        • HPAI A H5 Virus Background and Clinical Illness
      • Asian Lineage Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus expand
          • H7N9 Images
        • Publications & Resources
        • Pandemic Response Planning Tips
      • North American Lineage AI Viruses
    • Past Outbreaks expand
      • H5 Viruses in the United States
      • U.S. H5 outbreaks in 2014-2015
      • U.S. H7N8 in 2016
      • U.S. H7N2 in cats in 2016
    • Health Care & Laboratorian Guidance expand
      • Case Definitions expand
        • U.S. H5 Virus Case Definitions
        • Asian H5N1 Case Definitions
        • Asian H7N9 Case Definitions
      • Testing, Reporting & Lab Information expand
        • Specimen Collection and Testing for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses with Potential to Cause Severe Disease in Humans
        • Specimen Collection and Testing for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses Associated with Severe Disease in Humans
        • Diagnostics for Detecting H7N9 Using rRT-PCR
        • CDC and USDA: Interim Risk Assessment and Biosafety Level Recommendations for Working with Influenza A (H7N9) Viruses
      • Infection Control Within Healthcare Settings for Patients with Novel Influenza A Viruses
      • Treatment and Prophylaxis expand
        • For Clinicians: Evaluating and Managing Patients
        • Use of Antiviral Medications for Treatment of Human Infections with Novel Influenza A Viruses
        • Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis of Persons Exposed to Birds with Avian Influenza A Viruses
        • Follow-up of Close Contacts of Persons Infected with Novel Influenza A Viruses and Use of Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis
    • What CDC Does expand
      • Monitoring
      • Risk Assessment & Research expand
        • Researching the Virus
        • Dual Use Research of Concern
      • Preparedness and Response expand
        • Making a Candidate Vaccine Virus
    • Avian Influenza Related Links
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