Table 7.2.
Specimens Collected for Select Human Viruses
| Virus | Type of specimen collected for identification | Tests for virus? | Tests for antibodies? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza | Nasopharyngeal swab, nasal aspirate, nasal swab, nasal wash, throat swab | Yes | No |
| Norwalk virus | Stool, vomit | Yes | No |
| Hepatitis viruses | Serum | Yes (HBV, HCV) | Yes |
| Herpes simplex virus | Scraping from site of infection: oral mucosa, genital mucosa, conjunctiva or cornea | Yes | No |
| Serum | No | Yes | |
| Human immunodeficiency virus | Serum | Yes | Yes |
| Saliva | No | Yes | |
| Human papillomavirus | Pap smear or cervical swab | Yes | No |
| Rabies virus | Cerebral spinal fluid, serum | No | Yes |
| Saliva | Yes | No | |
| Ebola virus | Serum | Yes | Yes |
| West Nile virus | Serum, cerebral spinal fluid | Yes | Yes |