experimental influenza test It is possible that the virus can be detected on the tip of the tongue.
German researchers may have discovered a new way to detect influenza through an edible test like gum or a “thin film.”
When someone puts the test in their mouth, chemical sensors send a signal indicating whether they can taste it. Presence of infection.
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Scientists have created a small molecule that reacts only when an influenza virus enzyme called neuraminidase is present. This is an enzyme that infects and spreads.
existence of virus The mouth and saliva trigger this reaction, releasing thymol (a flavor compound) and creating a strong taste. If the virus is not present, the flavor is not present, the researchers explained.
This approach could help detect influenza before symptoms appear, allowing patients to take necessary precautions and avoid spreading the virus.
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“There is an urgent need for a first-line defense tool that is easy to manufacture, easy to supply, and simple,” the researchers wrote of the study. “These tools could help quickly identify individuals at risk of contracting influenza and place them in isolation.”
designed by researchers The computer-modeled test only responds to the influenza virus, not bacteria or other germs, according to a study published in the journal ACS Central Science.
The sensor was tested on saliva from hospitalized patients with terminal influenza. In these samples, thymol was detected within 30 minutes.
This experimental approach is still in its infancy and requires clinical trials to be definitive. Safety and accuracyEspecially in a home environment.
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“Future clinical trials should confirm our evidence with patient-reported taste results and distinguish between sensor performance in presymptomatic and postsymptomatic stages,” the scientists commented.
“Future sensor designs may further reduce the number of sensors needed and the time it takes to perceive taste.”
Dr. Mark Siegel, a senior medical analyst at Fox News, said in a brief statement sent to Fox News Digital: “We like the idea, as long as repeated testing confirms accuracy.”
As flu season approaches, this virus continues to be one of the most common. infectious disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza causes about 52,000 deaths in the United States each year, as well as 41 million illnesses and 710,000 hospitalizations.
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Currently, influenza is diagnosed with a nasal or throat swab test, which only became available over-the-counter last year.
