Specimen Types for Rapid Tests
Direct answer: The right specimen depends on the analyte and where it is found — blood for serology, swab for respiratory pathogens, urine for drugs and pregnancy, stool for GI pathogens.
| Specimen | Typical tests |
|---|---|
| Whole blood (WB) | Malaria, HIV, cardiac markers, H. pylori Ab |
| Serum / Plasma (S/P) | Serology — HIV, HCV, HBsAg, syphilis, dengue IgG/IgM |
| Nasal / NP swab | COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, Strep A |
| Urine | Drug of abuse, pregnancy (hCG), LH, Legionella |
| Feces | H. pylori Ag, rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus, calprotectin, FOB |
| Oral fluid | HIV, drug screening |
Specimen type is product-specific — each product page lists its accepted specimen.
By Progene Bio Regulatory Affairs Team · Medical Device QA · Medical disclaimer · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12