5th MDG tests for illnesses

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
The 5th Medical group laboratory tests a wide variety of samples to include blood samples and throat swabs for illnesses ranging from strep throat to influenza.
 
Serious complications of strep throat, influenza and other diseases going untreated can be diagnosed using the broad spectrum of chemistry testing in the laboratory.
 
Petri dishes can also be used to test samples and swabs for strep throat, an illness that is greatly increased during the winter months.
 
It is important to note that the influenza vaccine can take up to two weeks to provide full protection against infection, so as cases begin to be reported, vaccination is increasingly important for those who have yet received a vaccination this year.