FebriDx – An Essential Overview
Sometimes it can be hard for even the most experienced medical professional to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections due to their shared symptoms.
Even if you’re confident that all signs point to a viral infection, you are running the risk of missing a more serious bacterial infection and potential misdiagnosis.
To all but remove any doubts, a simple FebriDx test is all that’s needed.
What is FebriDx?
FebriDx is an all-in-one, point-of-care test device that can rapidly differentiate between a viral and bacterial acute respiratory infection.
By taking a fingerprick blood sample, the device can detect the presence of both C-reactive protein (CRP) and Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA).
The results of the test can help determine the best course of action and whether to prescribe antibiotics or not.
Is it a viral or bacterial infection?
Available in as little as 10 minutes, the results of the FebriDx test can indicate what kind of infection the patient may or may not have.
And the results couldn’t be easier to interpret.
If the red MxA line appears, this indicates a viral infection as MxA is a biomarker that is released when the body is attacked by viral infections.
Viral infection patients can then be managed appropriately to reduce the spread of infection.
If only a black result line is visible this indicates a bacterial infection. Negatives tests are indicated by a single blue control line.
Why is infection diagnosis so important?
Acute Respiratory Infection, usually presented as cough, cold, sore throat and runny nose, is the most common single reason for visiting a doctor and for antibiotic prescriptions.
Antibiotics should only be used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They do not work on viruses that cause the symptoms listed above.
Prescribing antibiotics to patients who do not need them puts them at riskof side effects and for developing resistance to bacteria. This means that antibiotics may not work when people really do need them.
Antimicrobial resistance is now a leading cause of death worldwide, according to a recent study, with more than 1.2m deaths in 2019 alone coming as a result of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
How accurate is FebriDx?
Highly sensitive/specific dual biomarker technology provides reliable differentiation of viral and bacterial infections.
The test’s 99% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) can safely rule out a bacterial infection.
How do you use FebriDx?
Suitable for both children and adults, FebriDx can be easily used by GPs, nurses and healthcare workers as the video below shows.
Where can I buy FebriDx?
FebriDx is only available through Henry Schein Medical UK. Click on the link below to buy now.
