Infectious Diseases

Genzyme Diagnostics manufactures rapid diagnostics for three different infectious diseases; Influenza A & B, Group A Streptococcus and Infectious Mononucleosis.

Infectious diseases are a result of the presence and activity of a pathogenic microbial agent, which, if left untreated, can cause other severe threatening illnesses.

Influenza, (more commonly known as flu), is a respiratory illness characterized by headache, chills, dry cough, body aches and fever lasting 3 to 4 days or more. Along with the common cold, Influenza is one of the most common acute respiratory infections affecting 10% to 20% of the population each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. More serious infection can cause various respiratory syndromes, disorders affecting the lung, heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and muscles, and can also cause severe primary viral and secondary bacterial pneumonia. Influenza can occur as isolated cases, in epidemics, or in pandemics.

The Influenza A virus is typically more prevalent and is associated with the most serious influenza epidemics. Influenza B infections usually present more mild symptoms. Diagnosis is difficult because the initial symptoms can be similar to those caused by other infectious agents. Since the Influenza virus is highly contagious, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of patients can have a positive effect on public health and help reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics. Initiating of antiviral therapy within 48 hours of symptom onset is recommended for rapid reduction of symptoms and to reduce viral shedding.

CDC Flu Activity Page

Strep A is a bacterium found in the throat and on the skin. People may carry Strep A and have no symptoms of illness. Most Strep A infections are relatively mild illnesses such as strep throat or impetigo. These bacteria are spread through contact with mucus from the nose or throat of the persons who are infected. Treating an infected person with an antibiotic for 24 hours or longer generally eliminates their ability to spread the bacteria. However it is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed.

Severe or life-threatening Strep A infections may occur when bacteria get into part of the body where bacteria usually are not found such as the blood, muscle or the lungs.

Infectious Mononucleosis is a common, acute, infectious disease usually affecting young people and is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat. Heart problems or involvement of the central nervous system occurs only rarely and the disease is rarely fatal. Although the symptoms usually resolve in 1 or 2 months, EBV remains dormant in a few cells in the throat and blood for the rest of the person’s life. Periodically, the virus can reactivate and is commonly found in the saliva of infected persons. This reactivation usually occurs without symptoms of illness.

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