Parainfluenza Tests
Reviewed
Also called: Human parainfluenza virus test, HPIV test, Parainfluenza PCR panel, PIV
A parainfluenza test checks a fluid sample from your nose or lungs for the four types of parainfluenza viruses (also called human parainfluenza viruses, or HPIVs).
Specimen: Fluid from nose or lungs (nasal aspirate/wash, nasal or throat swab, sputum, or bronchoalveolar lavage)
Why this test may be ordered
- Symptoms of a respiratory illness with a higher risk of serious illness
- A weakened immune system or a transplant
- Hospital care for community-acquired pneumonia
Preparation and collection
If you have a BAL, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. You should plan to have someone take you home because you may feel sleepy if you are given medicine to relax. You don't need any special preparations for other parainfluenza tests.
Tests to diagnose parainfluenza viruses are usually done on a sample of fluid from your lungs or airways (such as your nose, mouth, or throat).
There is very little risk to having a parainfluenza test. A nasal aspirate or wash may feel uncomfortable. These effects are temporary. Nasal and throat swabs may cause a brief gagging feeling. A BAL may cause a sore throat for a few days. Serious problems are rare. They include bleeding in the airways, infection, or a partly collapsed lung.
Understanding results
If you had a respiratory pathogens panel, your results may state which viruses or bacteria were found.
- Negative: A negative result means that no signs of parainfluenza viruses were found in your sample. Another illness is probably causing your symptoms. Limitation: It's possible that there was too little virus in your sample for the test to find. Next step: Talk with your provider about what your test results mean and about what steps you can take to help your symptoms if you have a parainfluenza infection.
- Positive: A positive result means that you likely have a parainfluenza infection. Limitation: It's possible for a PCR test to show signs of a virus even though you don't have enough virus in your body to make you sick. Next step: There is no cure for parainfluenza viruses, but you can do things to help your symptoms. Talk with your provider about what your test results mean and about what steps you can take to help your symptoms if you have a parainfluenza infection.
- A negative result doesn't rule out parainfluenza.
- PCR may detect virus even when there isn't enough to make you sick.
- Rapid antigen tests are less accurate.
What to do next
Talk with your provider about what your test results mean and about what steps you can take to help your symptoms if you have a parainfluenza infection.
- Do I need testing for parainfluenza?
- What sample will you collect?
- What can I do to help my symptoms?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.