NHS rapid blood test could save children's lives

A BLOOD test which will help to diagnose life-threatening diseases such as sepsis and meningitis in children is set to be trialled in Newcastle.

- By OWEN YOUNGER

The 15-minute test can fast-track a diagnosis by telling medics whether patients are suffering from a bacterial or viral infection.

Instead of relying on blood test results, which can take several hours and need analysis in a lab, this test can rapidly indicate whether a patient has a bacterial infection which could be treated with immediate antibiotics.

Experts believe that this change could save lives and lead to more appropriate treatment for those who do not need antibiotics, with doctors taking part in the trial saying that they have already seen the benefits.

In one case, a child with meningo-coccal meningitis was treated much more quickly, and another with sepsis started antibiotics straight away, showing how effective the new rapid blood test can be.