title: Point-of-care tests for lower respiratory tract infections.
abstract: Many lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are caused by organisms that do not require antibiotics or could be safely treated with narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics, particularly broad-spectrum agents, could reduce costs and side effects and delay the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Various point-of-care tests are becoming available to help clinicians identify the cause of LRTIs at the time of consultation. Point-of-care tests can be used to diagnose influenza, pneumococcal infections, Legionella and respiratory syncytial virus infections, thus allowing early decisions to be made on appropriate management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. patrick.charles@austin.org.au
authors.forename: Patrick G P
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.forename: M Lindsay
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Grayson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007876:Legionellosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis