Nasopharyngeal+Aspirate

=Nasopharyngeal Aspirate=

What it is
A nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) is done to determine what kind of virus is causing a child's respiratory infection.

A trained staff member (either a specimen collector or a nurse) will lie your child down. · A catheter (or tube) is inserted a short distance into your child’s nose (this should occur with minimal discomfort to your child). · Gentle suction is used to collect some mucus. · The mucus is then sent to the laboratory for testing.
 * What does it involve?**

Once the NPA is obtained the laboratory staff test it for several common viruses such as: · RSV - Respiratory Syncitial Virus · Influenza A & B · Para-Influenza 1, 2, and 3 · Adenovirus · Mycoplasma pneumoniae · Bordatella pertussis (Whooping Cough)
 * What viruses are tested**?

Additional Resources
[|WCH - Nasopharyngeal Aspirate Leaflet]