Respiratory Infections

Causes & Risk Factors

Respiratory infections spread primarily through respiratory droplets and close contact, with several factors influencing individual risk:

•  Viral causes — including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2, and other common respiratory viruses.

•  Bacterial causes — including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and other bacteria, which may occur alone or as a secondary infection after a viral illness.

•  Seasonal patterns — many respiratory infections are more common during specific seasons or weather conditions.

•  Crowded or enclosed settings — increase transmission risk, particularly for highly contagious respiratory viruses.

•  Underlying risk factors — chronic lung disease, smoking, weakened immunity, and age extremes (young children and older adults) increased risk of more severe illness.

Symptoms & When to Test

Respiratory infection symptoms often overlap significantly between viral and bacterial causes, which is part of why targeted testing is valuable.

•  Cough, which may be dry or productive

•  Fever

•  Sore throat

•  Runny or congested nose

•  Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

•  Fatigue and body aches

•  Symptoms that are severe, atypical, or not improving as expected

When Should You Consider Testing?

Testing is generally most useful when symptoms are severe, prolonged, atypical for a simple cold, or when identifying the specific organism would change treatment — for example, distinguishing influenza or SARS-CoV-2 (which may have specific antiviral treatments) from other viral causes, or when a bacterial cause requiring antibiotics is suspected.

Why Tests Are Combined

Because respiratory infections caused by different organisms can look clinically very similar — fever, cough, and fatigue occur across viral and bacterial causes alike — a multiplex PCR panel testing for many pathogens simultaneously is often more efficient and informative than guessing which single organism to test for.

A rapid respiratory panel and a comprehensive multiplex PCR serve different purposes: the rapid panel typically covers the most common and clinically urgent pathogens (such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV) for fast turnaround, while the comprehensive panel screens a broader range of viral and bacterial pathogens when the clinical picture is less clear.

Molecular testing can detect pathogen-specific genetic material and may provide results faster than conventional culture for selected infections, which is particularly valuable when a rapid treatment decision is needed.

Tests Available at NPL

Most infectious-disease molecular tests and microbiological investigations do not require fasting. However, some blood tests ordered at the same time may have specific preparation requirements. Please follow the instructions provided by your doctor or NPL.

Home Sample Collection

NPL offers convenient home sample collection for Respiratory Infections blood tests, so you don't need to visit a lab in person.

→ Book your test online, via the NPL app, or by calling +977 1 5970147 and select a convenient time slot for home sample collection.

→ A certified and experienced NPL phlebotomist visits your home at the scheduled time, following strict hygiene and safety protocols.

→ Your sample is transported under controlled, monitored conditions to NPL's NABL accredited under ISO 15189:2022 laboratory for processing.

→ Your digital report is delivered securely to your phone or email, along with access to download and share it as needed.

When to See a Doctor

•  Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

•  High or persistent fever not improving with home care

•  Symptoms lasting longer than 10 days or worsening after initial improvement

•  Underlying chronic lung disease, heart disease, or weakened immunity with new respiratory symptoms

•  Very young children or older adults with respiratory symptoms and fever