SYSTEMS and METHODS for DETECTING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for detecting infections in a clinical sample are provided. Small-volume clinical samples obtained at a point-of-service (POS) location and may be tested at the POS location for multiple markers for multiple diseases, including upper and lower respiratory diseases. Samples may be tested for cytokines, or for inflammation indicators. Dilution of samples, or levels of detection, may be determined by the condition or past history of a subject. Test results may be obtained within a short amount of time after sample placement in a testing device, or within a short amount of time after being obtained from the subject. A prescription for treatment of a detected disorder may be provided, and may be filled, at the POS location. A bill may be automatically generated for the testing, or for the prescription, may be automatically sent to an insurance provider, and payment may be automatically obtained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for detecting the presence of one or more of a plurality of markers indicative of an infectious disease in a small-volume clinical sample, comprising:
 a) a sample handling system;   b) a detection station comprising an optical sensor;   c) a fluidically isolated sample collection unit configured to retain a clinical sample;   d) an assay station comprising at least a first, second, and third fluidically isolated assay unit, wherein the first unit comprises a first reagent comprising an antibody, the second unit comprises a second reagent comprising an oligonucleotide, and the third unit comprises a third reagent comprising a chromogen, dye, or other label; and   e) a controller, wherein the controller comprises a local memory and is operatively coupled to the sample handling system and the detection station;   wherein the system is configured to perform assays with any one or more of the first, second, and third assay units; wherein the local memory of the controller comprises a protocol comprising instructions for: i) directing the sample handling system to transfer a portion of the clinical sample to the first assay unit for performance of an immunoassay, the second assay unit for performance of a nucleic acid assay, and the third assay unit for performance of a general chemistry assay comprising a chromogen, dye, or other label; and ii) directing the sample handling system to transfer the first unit, the second unit, and the third assay unit to the detection station.   
     
     
         2 . A system for detecting the presence of one or more of a plurality of markers indicative of an infectious disease in a small-volume clinical sample, comprising:
 a) a sample handling system;   b) a detection station comprising an optical sensor;   c) a fluid handling system configured to transport fluids between components of said system, wherein said transport of fluids comprises transport of isolated aliquots of fluid;   d) a fluidically isolated sample collection unit configured to retain a clinical sample;   e) an assay station comprising at least a first, second, and third fluidically isolated assay unit, wherein the first unit comprises a first reagent comprising an antibody, the second unit comprises a second reagent comprising a nucleic acid, and the third unit comprises a third reagent comprising a chromogen, dye, or other label; and   f) a controller, wherein the controller comprises a local memory and is operatively coupled to the sample handling system and the detection station;   wherein the system is configured to perform assays with any one or more of the first, second, and third assay units; wherein the local memory of the controller comprises a protocol comprising instructions for: i) directing the sample handling system to transfer a portion of the clinical sample to the first assay unit for performance of an immunoassay, the second assay unit for performance of a nucleic acid assay. and the third assay unit for the performance of a general chemistry assay; and ii) directing the sample handling system to transfer the first unit, the second unit, and the third assay unit to the detection station.   
     
     
         3 . A clinical sample processing device, comprising:
 a) a sample handling system;   b) a detection station comprising an optical sensor;   c) a fluidically isolated sample collection unit configured to retain a clinical sample;   d) an assay station comprising at least a first, second, and third fluidically isolated assay unit, wherein the first unit comprises an antibody, the second unit comprises an oligonucleotide, and the third unit comprises a chromogen, dye or other label; and   e) a controller, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the sample handling system, wherein the sample handling system is configured to transfer a portion of the clinical sample from the sample collection unit to each of the first assay unit, the second assay unit, and the third assay unit, and the device is configured to perform an immunoassay, a nucleic acid assay, and a general chemistry assay comprising a chromogen, dye, or other label.   
     
     
         4 . The system of any of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3 , wherein the system comprises a point-of service system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of any of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3 , wherein the system is located at a point-of-service location, and is configured for use in analyzing a sample at said point-of-service location. 
     
     
         6 . The system of any of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3 , wherein the system is a point-of service system configured to perform a plurality of assays on a single small volume sample, or on aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The point-of-service (POS) system of  claim 6 , wherein a small volume comprises a volume selected from volumes less than about 500 μL, less than about 250 μL, less than 150 μL, less than about 100 μL, less than about 50 μL, less than about 25 μL, less than about 10 μL, less than about 5 μL, and less than about 1 μL. 
     
     
         8 . The point-of-service (POS) system of any of  claims 4  to  7 , wherein the POS location is selected from a retail pharmacy, a supermarket, a clinic, a hospital, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         9 . The system of any of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3 , wherein the system is contained within a housing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid handling system is configured to transport fluid within said housing. 
     
     
         11 . A clinical sample processing device, comprising:
 a) a sample handling system;   b) a detection station comprising an optical sensor;   c) a fluidically isolated sample collection unit configured to retain a clinical sample;   d) an assay station comprising at least a first, second, and third fluidically isolated assay unit, wherein the first unit comprises an antibody, the second unit comprises an oligonucleotide, and the third unit comprises a chromogen or a dye or other label; and   e) a controller, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the sample handling system, wherein the sample handling system is configured to transfer a portion of the clinical sample from the sample collection unit to each of the first assay unit, the second assay unit, and the third assay unit, and the device is configured to perform an immunoassay, a nucleic acid assay, and a general chemistry assay comprising a chromogen, dye, or other label.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device comprises a point-of service device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device is located at a point-of-service location, and is configured for use in analyzing a sample at said point-of-service location. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device is a point-of service device configured to perform a plurality of assays on a single small volume sample, or on aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The point-of-service (POS) device of  claim 14 , wherein a small volume comprises a volume selected from volumes less than about 500 μL, less than about 250 μL, less than 150 μL, less than about 100 μL, less than about 50 μL, less than about 25 μL, less than about 10 μL, less than about 5 μL, and less than about 1 μL. 
     
     
         16 . The point-of-service (POS) device of any of  claims 12  to  15 , wherein the POS location is selected from a retail pharmacy, a supermarket, a clinic, a hospital, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device comprises a housing. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid handling system is configured to transport fluid within said housing. 
     
     
         19 . A method of testing for the presence of a plurality of different disease markers in a small-volume clinical sample, comprising:
 a) introducing a clinical sample having a volume of no greater than 500 microliters into a sample processing device, wherein the device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system; 
 ii) a detection station; 
 iii) a cytometry station comprising an imaging device and a stage for receiving a microscopy cuvette; and 
 iv) an assay station comprising at least a first, a second, a third, and a fourth independently movable assay unit; 
   b) with the aid of the sample handling system, transferring a portion of the clinical sample to each of the first, second, third, and fourth assay units, wherein an assay for the detection of a first, second, third, and fourth disease marker is performed in each of the first, second, third, and fourth assay units;   c) with the aid of the sample handling system, transferring the first, second, third, and fourth assay units to the detection station or cytometry station, wherein assay units comprising immunoassays or general chemistry assays are transferred to the detection station and assay units comprising cytometric assays are transferred to the cytometry station; and   d) with the aid of the detection station or cytometry station, obtaining data measurements of the assay performed in each of the first, second, third, and fourth assay units.   
     
     
         20 . A method of detecting the presence of at least one disease marker that is one of a plurality of different disease markers tested in a small-volume clinical sample, comprising:
 a) introducing a clinical sample having a volume of no greater than 500 microliters into a sample processing device, wherein the device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system; 
 ii) a detection station; 
 iii) a cytometry station comprising an imaging device and a stage for receiving a microscopy cuvette; and 
 iv) an assay station comprising at least a first, a second, a third, and a fourth independently movable assay unit; 
   b) with the aid of the sample handling system, transferring a portion of the clinical sample to each of the first, second, third, and fourth assay units, wherein an assay for the detection of a first, second, third, and fourth disease marker is performed in each of the first, second, third, and fourth assay units;   c) with the aid of the sample handling system, transferring the first, second, third, and fourth assay units to the detection station or cytometry station, wherein assay units comprising immunoassays or general chemistry assays are transferred to the detection station and assay units comprising cytometric assays are transferred to the cytometry station;   d) with the aid of the detection station or cytometry station, obtaining data measurements of the assay performed in each of the first, second, third, and fourth assay units, and   e) detecting the presence of a disease marker.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  or  claim 20 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  or  claim 20 , the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location, and wherein the clinical sample is obtained at the point of service location. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  or  claim 20 , the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location, and wherein the methods are used in analyzing a clinical sample at said point-of-service location. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  or  claim 20 , comprising point-of service methods performed at a point-of-service location, wherein the methods are for performing a plurality of assays on a single small volume clinical sample, or on aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  or  claim 20 , comprising point-of service methods performed at a point-of-service location, wherein the methods may be performed in a short period of time. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19  or  claim 20 , comprising point-of service methods performed at a point-of-service location, wherein the methods are for performing a plurality of assays on a single small volume clinical sample, or on aliquots thereof, and may be performed in a short period of time. 
     
     
         27 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  26 , wherein the methods are performed on a small volume clinical sample, wherein said small volume comprises a volume selected from volumes less than about 500 less than about 250 less than 150 less than about 100 less than about 50 less than about 25 less than about 10 less than about 5 and less than about 1 μL. 
     
     
         28 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  27 , wherein the methods are performed in a short period of time, wherein a short time period comprises a period of time of less than about three hours, or less than about 2 hours, or less than about 1 hour, or less than about 50 minutes, or less than about 45 minutes, or less than about 40 minutes, or less than about 30 minutes, or less than about 20 minutes, or less than about 15 minutes, or less than about 10 minutes, or less than about 5 minutes, or less than about 4 minutes, or less than about 3 minutes, or less than about 2 minutes, or less than about 1 minute. 
     
     
         29 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  28 , wherein the method is performed at a point-of-service (POS) location, wherein a POS location is selected from a retail pharmacy, a supermarket, a clinic, a hospital, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         30 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  29 , wherein the method comprises an automatic method. 
     
     
         31 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , comprising testing for, or detecting, a disease marker, wherein the disease marker is selected from a nucleic disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for inflammation selected from prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, complement system molecules, blood-clotting factors, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and morphological changes in blood and other cells. 
     
     
         33 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, is caused by a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         34 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a respiratory disease selected from upper respiratory diseases and lower respiratory diseases. 
     
     
         35 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a disease selected from influenza, a respiratory disease, a sexually transmitted disease, and other infectious diseases. 
     
     
         36 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises an influenza selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         37 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a respiratory disease selected from a disease caused by adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , and Group B  streptococcus.    
     
     
         38 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a sexually transmitted disease selected from a disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         39 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the method is performed at a point-of-service (POS) location, wherein a POS location is selected from a retail pharmacy, a supermarket, a clinic, a hospital, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         40 . A method for providing a prescription for treatment of an infectious disease in a subject, comprising:
 Providing a clinical sample obtained from a subject;   Analyzing said clinical sample at a point-of-service (POS) location, wherein analyzing comprises testing for, or detecting the presence of, a plurality of disease markers, in the clinical sample;   Determining a suitable treatment for a disease indicated by the presence of a marker detected by said analysis; and   Providing a prescription for said suitable treatment.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said clinical sample is obtained from said subject at said point-of-service (POS) location. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  or  claim 41 , wherein said point-of-service (POS) location is selected from a retail pharmacy, a supermarket, a clinic, a hospital, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         43 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  42 , wherein said method is an automatic method. 
     
     
         44 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  43 , wherein said prescription is filled at the point-of-service (POS) location. 
     
     
         45 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  44 , wherein a bill for said analysis performed at the point-of-service (POS) location is issued at the POS location. 
     
     
         46 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  44 , wherein a bill for said prescription is issued at the point-of-service (POS) location. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45  or  claim 46 , wherein said bill is issued automatically. 
     
     
         48 . The method of any of  claims 45  to  48 , wherein the subject carries insurance, and a bill for said testing or for said prescription is issued to the subject's insurance carrier. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said bill is issued to the subject's insurance carrier automatically. 
     
     
         50 . The method of any of  claims 45  to  49 , wherein an automatic payment is made for a bill for said testing or for said prescription. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said bill for said testing or for said prescription is an automatic bill. 
     
     
         52 . A method for determining the stage of an infection in a subject suffering from an infection, comprising:
 Subjecting a sample from said subject to a test for the presence of a nucleic acid indicative of the infection, and to a test for the presence of an antibody indicative of the infection, and   Determining whether the relative amounts of the results of the nucleic acid test and the antibody test indicate that the infection is a recent infection, or not, wherein a) a greater relative amounts of the results of the nucleic acid test as compared to the relative amounts of the antibody test indicate the infection is a recent infection, and b) significant amounts of antibody to the infectious agent in the antibody test indicate the infection is not a recent infection.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said sample is selected from a sample taken from a throat swab, a cheek swab, saliva, blood, or other sample. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said sample is divided into at least two portions. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein significant amounts of antibody to the infectious agent are detected, and further wherein nucleic acid markers indicative of the infectious agent are relatively sparse, wherein the infection is in a late stage. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the infection is waning. 
     
     
         57 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein the analysis of the sample comprises analysis to determine whether the subject suffers from a bacterial infection, a viral infection, a yeast infection, a mycoplasma infection, a fungal infection, other infection, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         58 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein the analysis of the sample comprises analysis to determine whether the subject suffers from a bacterial infection or a viral infection. 
     
     
         59 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises prescription of an antibiotic when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a bacterial infection. 
     
     
         60 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-mycoplasmal drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a mycoplasmal infection. 
     
     
         61 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-viral drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         62 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic, when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         63 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic, and providing the prescription of an anti-viral drug, when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         64 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-fungal drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a fungal infection. 
     
     
         65 . The method of any of  claims 40  to  51 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-yeast drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a yeast infection. 
     
     
         66 . The method of any of  claims 19  to  30 , wherein the disease detected is caused by a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms, and further comprising providing a prescription for the suitable treatment of said virus, bacterium, mycoplasm, fungus, yeast, or other micro-organism. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises prescription of an antibiotic when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a bacterial infection. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-mycoplasmal drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a mycoplasmal infection. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-viral drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 66  wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic, and providing the prescription of an anti-viral drug, when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-fungal drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a fungal infection. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-yeast drug when the analysis of the sample determines that the subject suffers from a yeast infection. 
     
     
         74 . A method of determining the state of response to a disease in a subject, comprising:
 a) introducing a clinical sample into a sample processing device, said sample having been obtained from a subject suspected of suffering from a disease caused by a disease-causing organism, said clinical sample having a volume of no greater than 500 microliters, wherein the device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system; 
 ii) a detection station; and 
 iii) an assay station comprising at least a first and a second independently movable assay unit; 
   b) with the aid of the sample handling system, transferring a portion of the clinical sample to each of the first and second assay units, wherein an assay for the detection of a nucleic acid indicative of the disease-causing organism is performed in said first assay unit, and an assay for the detection of antibodies to the disease-causing organism is performed in the second assay unit;   c) transferring the first and second assay units to the detection station with the aid of the sample handling system;   d) obtaining data measurements with the aid of the detection station, said data measurements comprising determining the level of nucleic acid indicative of a disease organism in the sample, and determining the level of antibodies directed to that disease organism in the sample; and   e) i) determining that the infection is a recent infection, and in an early stage of the disease, where the level of nucleic acid indicative of a disease organism is high and the level of antibodies directed to that disease organism is low or normal; ii) determining that the infection is not a recent infection, and not in an early stage of the disease, where the level of nucleic acid indicative of a disease organism is high and the level of antibodies directed to that disease organism is high; and iii) determining that the infection is a waning infection, and in a late stage of the disease, where the level of nucleic acid indicative of a disease organism is low or normal, and the level of antibodies directed to that disease organism is high,   where a normal level of a marker is the level of that marker determined in a healthy population of normal subjects, where a high level is one that significantly exceeds a normal level as determined in a healthy population of normal subjects, and a low level is one that is below the normal level as determined in a healthy population of normal subjects.   
     
     
         75 . The method of determining the state of response to a disease in a subject of  claim 74 , further comprising detecting the level of inflammatory cytokines. 
     
     
         76 . The method of determining the state of response to a disease in a subject of  claim 74 , wherein said device further comprises a cytometry station comprising an imaging device and a stage for receiving a microscopy cuvette, the method further comprising imaging a white blood cell in a blood sample obtained from the subject. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein imaging a white blood cell in a blood sample obtained from the subject comprises detecting the level of a white blood cell type in a blood sample obtained from the subject, and determining whether said detected level of said type of white blood cell is above, at, or below a normal level for that type of blood cell, wherein the normal level for that type of white blood cell is determined by the level of that type of white blood cell in blood samples from a healthy population. 
     
     
         78 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  77 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         79 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  77 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location, and wherein the clinical sample is obtained at the point of service location. 
     
     
         80 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  77 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location, and wherein the methods are used in analyzing a clinical sample at said point-of-service location. 
     
     
         81 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  77 , comprising point-of service methods performed at a point-of-service location, wherein the methods are for performing a plurality of assays on a single small volume clinical sample, or on aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         82 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  77 , comprising point-of service methods performed at a point-of-service location, wherein the methods may be performed in a short period of time. 
     
     
         83 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  77 , comprising point-of service methods performed at a point-of-service location, wherein the methods are for performing a plurality of assays on a single small volume clinical sample, or on aliquots thereof, and may be performed in a short period of time. 
     
     
         84 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  83 , wherein the methods are performed on a small volume clinical sample, wherein said small volume comprises a volume selected from volumes less than about 500 less than about 250 less than 150 less than about 100 less than about 50 less than about 25 less than about 10 less than about 5 and less than about 1 μL. 
     
     
         85 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  84 , wherein the methods are performed in a short period of time, wherein a short time period comprises a period of time of less than about three hours, or less than about 2 hours, or less than about 1 hour, or less than about 50 minutes, or less than about 45 minutes, or less than about 40 minutes, or less than about 30 minutes, or less than about 20 minutes, or less than about 15 minutes, or less than about 10 minutes, or less than about 5 minutes, or less than about 4 minutes, or less than about 3 minutes, or less than about 2 minutes, or less than about 1 minute. 
     
     
         86 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  85 , wherein the method is performed at a point-of-service (POS) location, wherein a POS location is selected from a retail pharmacy, a supermarket, a clinic, a hospital, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         87 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  86 , wherein the method comprises an automatic method. 
     
     
         88 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  87 , comprising testing for, or detecting, a disease marker selected from a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for inflammation selected from a prostaglandin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, complement system molecules, blood-clotting factors, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and morphological changes in blood and other cells. 
     
     
         90 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  89 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, is caused by a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         91 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  90 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a respiratory disease selected from upper respiratory diseases and lower respiratory diseases. 
     
     
         92 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  90 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a disease selected from influenza, a respiratory disease, a sexually transmitted disease, and other infectious diseases. 
     
     
         93 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  90 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises an influenza selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         94 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  90 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a respiratory disease selected from a disease caused by adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , and Group B  streptococcus.    
     
     
         95 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  90 , wherein the disease tested for, or the disease detected, comprises a sexually transmitted disease selected from a disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         96 . The method of any of  claims 74  to  90 , wherein the method is performed at a point-of-service (POS) location, wherein a POS location is selected from a retail pharmacy, a supermarket, a clinic, a hospital, and a doctor's office. 
     
     
         97 . A method of detecting at least one nucleic acid disease marker in a clinical sample, comprising:
 a) introducing a sample into an automatic sample processing device configured for performing immunoassays and nucleic acid amplification assays, wherein said automatic sample processing device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system configured to transport at least a portion of a sample; 
 ii) a reagent for use in a nucleic acid amplification assay that does not require thermal cycling; and 
 iii) a detector; 
   b) performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction for the detection of a nucleic acid disease marker in said sample, or an aliquot thereof, wherein said performing comprises contacting at least a portion of said sample, or aliquot thereof, with a nucleic acid amplification reagent and amplifying said nucleic acid disease marker without thermal cycling, wherein said nucleic acid disease marker comprises a template region, and wherein said nucleic acid amplification reagent comprises a nucleic acid polymerase, a first primer and a second primer, said primers having template-binding regions and having tail regions, wherein said primer template-binding regions are complementary to at least a portion of said template region of the nucleic acid disease marker, and wherein said tail region of said first primer is complementary to said tail region of said second primer;   c) obtaining data measurements with the aid of said detection station; and   e) detecting at least one nucleic acid disease marker.   
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , comprising detecting two or more nucleic acid disease markers in said sample, or in one or more aliquots thereof, wherein said detecting comprises amplification of two or more nucleic acid disease markers without thermal cycling. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 97 , further comprising performing an immunoassay for the detection of a further disease marker in said sample, or in one or more aliquots thereof, wherein said further disease marker is other than a nucleic acid disease marker. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein said measurements are obtained over a period of time, and wherein these measurements are indicative of the progress of the nucleic acid amplification reaction over said period of time. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein said nucleic acid amplification is performed within a moveable assay unit. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein said immunoassay is performed within a moveable assay unit. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein both said nucleic acid assay and said immunoassay are performed within a moveable assay unit. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein said sample handling system is configured to transport a moveable assay unit. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein said clinical sample is a small-volume clinical sample having a volume of less than about 500 microliters. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the method is a point-of service (POS) method performed at a POS location. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , comprising point-of-service (POS) methods performed at a POS location, wherein the detection of the disease marker is performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a nucleic acid marker selected from the group consisting of an inflammatory marker for infectious disease, an influenza marker, a marker for an upper respiratory disease, a marker for a lower respiratory disease, and a marker for a sexually transmitted disease. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a nucleic acid marker for a respiratory disease selected from the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a nucleic acid marker for a disease caused by a disease-causing agent selected from adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , and Group B  streptococcus.    
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises an influenza marker. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 111 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises an influenza marker selected from a marker for H1N1 (seasonal) influenza, H1N1 (novel) influenza, a marker for H3N2 influenza, a marker for H7N9 influenza, a marker for H5N1 influenza, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an influenza matrix protein or portion thereof. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a marker for a sexually transmitted disease. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a marker for a sexually transmitted disease, wherein the disease is caused by an agent selected from the group consisting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2, Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing agents consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, and a yeast. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 99 , comprising detecting two or more markers for disease-causing agents, wherein said markers are indicative of two or more disease-causing agents selected from a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, and a yeast. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a tuberculosis ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis ) marker. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a marker for a  Staphylococcus  bacterium. 
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a marker for a  Staphylococcus  bacterium selected from a  Staphylococcus aureus  and Methycillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus.    
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a marker for a  Streptococcus  bacterium. 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a marker for a Corona virus. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 99 , comprising detecting two or more markers for Corona viruses. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a nucleic acid disease marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus,  plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi , and a Dengue Virus. 
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 99 , comprising detecting two or more markers for disease-causing agents selected from the group consisting of West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus,  plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi , and a Dengue Virus. 
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the nucleic acid disease marker comprises a nucleic acid disease marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of Influenza A Matrix protein, Influenza H3N2, Influenza H1N1 seasonal, Influenza H1N1 novel, Influenza B,  Streptococcus pyogenes  (A),  Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus  (MR),  Staphylococcus aureus  (RS),  Bordetella pertussis  (whooping cough),  Streptococcus agalactiae  (B), Influenza H5N1, Influenza H7N9, Adenovirus B, Adenovirus C, Adenovirus E, Hepatitis b, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis delta,  Treponema pallidum , HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV-1, HIV-2, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Trypanosoma cruzi  (Chagas),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  carbapenemase (KPC), Epstein Barr Virus (mono), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza virus (1), Parainfluenza virus (2), Parainfluenza virus (3), Parainfluenza virus (4a), Parainfluenza virus (4b), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Novel Coronavirus, Bocavirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (penic R),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (S),  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella parpertussis, Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic R),  Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic S),  Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas  spp ( aeruginosa ),  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Enterobacter cloacae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Enterobacter aerogenes  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Serratia marcescens  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Acinetobacter baumanii, Legionella  spp,  Escherichia coli, Candida, Chlamydia trachomatis , Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria gonorrhoeae, plasmodium , and  Trichomonas  (vagin). 
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 99 , comprising detecting two or more markers for disease-causing agents, wherein the two or more disease markers are selected from the group of markers for disease-causing agents consisting of Influenza A Matrix protein, Influenza H3N2, Influenza H1N1 seasonal, Influenza H1N1 novel, Influenza B,  Streptococcus pyogenes  (A),  Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus  (MR),  Staphylococcus aureus  (RS),  Bordetella pertussis  (whooping cough),  Streptococcus agalactiae  (B), Influenza H5N1, Influenza H7N9, Adenovirus B, Adenovirus C, Adenovirus E, Hepatitis b, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis delta,  Treponema pallidum , HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV-1, HIV-2, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Trypanosoma cruzi  (Chagas),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  carbapenemase (KPC), Epstein Barr Virus (mono), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza virus (1), Parainfluenza virus (2), Parainfluenza virus (3), Parainfluenza virus (4a), Parainfluenza virus (4b), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Novel Coronavirus, Bocavirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (penic R),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (S),  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella parpertussis, Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic R),  Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic S),  Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas  spp ( aeruginosa ),  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Enterobacter cloacae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Enterobacter aerogenes  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Serratia marcescens  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Acinetobacter baumanii, Legionella  spp,  Escherichia coli, Candida, Chlamydia trachomatis , Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria gonorrhoeae, plasmodium , and  Trichomonas  (vagin). 
     
     
         127 . A method of detecting a disease marker, comprising:
 a) introducing a cartridge into an automatic sample processing device, said cartridge comprising a sample and a swab, wherein said automatic sample processing device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system configured to transport said sample and for use with one or more independently movable assay units; and 
 ii) an optical detector; 
   b) transferring said sample, or an aliquot thereof, to an assay unit for the performance of an assay for the detection of a disease marker, said transferring being performed with the aid of said sample handling system;   c) transferring said assay unit to a position suitable for detection of an optical signal from the assay unit by said optical detector;   d) performing an assay for the detection of a disease marker; and   e) detecting the presence of a disease marker.   
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 127 , comprising performing two or more assays for the detection of disease markers, and detecting two or more disease markers in said sample, or in one or more aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said sample has a volume of less than about 500 microliters. 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said sample was obtained using said swab. 
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein said sample comprises a sample obtained from the throat or mouth of a subject. 
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein said sample comprises a sample obtained from a nasal passage of a subject. 
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said sample comprises a blood sample. 
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 128 , comprising detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker and a protein disease marker. 
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 127 , comprising a first sample and a second sample, wherein said first sample comprises a sample obtained using said swab, and said second sample comprises a blood sample. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 135 , comprising performing two or more assays, and detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker and a protein disease marker. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein detecting the presence of a disease marker comprises detecting a disease marker selected from a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for inflammation selected from prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, complement system molecules, blood-clotting factors, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and morphological changes in blood and other cells. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of Influenza A Matrix protein, Influenza H3N2, Influenza H1N1 seasonal, Influenza H1N1 novel, Influenza B,  Streptococcus pyogenes  (A),  Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus  (MR),  Staphylococcus aureus  (RS),  Bordetella pertussis  (whooping cough),  Streptococcus agalactiae  (B), Influenza H5N1, Influenza H7N9, Adenovirus B, Adenovirus C, Adenovirus E, Hepatitis b, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis delta,  Treponema pallidum , HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV-1, HIV-2, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Trypanosoma cruzi  (Chagas),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  carbapenemase (KPC), Epstein Barr Virus (mono), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza virus (1), Parainfluenza virus (2), Parainfluenza virus (3), Parainfluenza virus (4a), Parainfluenza virus (4b), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Novel Coronavirus, Bocavirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (penic R),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (S),  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella parpertussis, Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic R),  Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic S),  Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas  spp ( aeruginosa ),  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Enterobacter cloacae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Enterobacter aerogenes  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Serratia marcescens  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Acinetobacter baumanii, Legionella  spp,  Escherichia coli, Candida, Chlamydia trachomatis , Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria gonorrhoeae, plasmodium , and  Trichomonas  (vagin). 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 128 , comprising detecting two or more disease markers, wherein one of said disease markers is a marker for inflammation, and one of said disease markers a marker for a disease-causing agent. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said disease marker for inflammation is selected from prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, complement system molecules, blood-clotting factors, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and morphological changes in blood and other cells, and said disease marker for a disease-causing agent is selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease selected from influenza, a respiratory disease, a sexually transmitted disease, and another infectious disease. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for an influenza selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a respiratory disease selected from an upper respiratory disease and a lower respiratory disease. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a respiratory disease marker for a disease-causing organism selected from the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 128 , comprising detecting two or more disease markers indicative of respiratory diseases, wherein said disease markers are markers for disease-causing organisms selected from two or more of the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a sexually transmitted disease selected from a disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 128 , comprising detecting two or more disease markers indicative of sexually transmitted diseases caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for an infectious disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus,  plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi , and a Dengue Virus. 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the method may be performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein the method may be performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 128 , comprising performing a plurality of assays on a single small-volume sample, or on aliquots thereof, in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein detecting the presence of a disease marker comprises amplification of a nucleic acid disease marker without thermal cycling. 
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein detecting the presence of a disease marker comprises amplification of a nucleic acid disease marker without thermal cycling in said first sample, or in said second sample, or in both said first and said second sample. 
     
     
         157 . A method of detecting the presence of at least one disease marker in a sample, or an aliquot thereof, comprising:
 a) introducing a sample into an automatic sample processing device, wherein said automatic sample processing device is configured to perform nucleic acid assays, immunoassays, general chemistry assays, and cytometric assays, wherein said automatic sample processing device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system; 
 ii) at least one detector; and 
 iii) a cytometry station comprising an imaging device and a stage for receiving a microscopy cuvette; 
   b) transferring a portion of the sample to each of a plurality of assay units with the aid of the sample handling system;   c) performing an assay for the detection of at least one disease markers in the sample, or an aliquot thereof;   d) detecting a signal from at least one assay selected from a nucleic acid assay, an immunoassay, and a general chemistry assay, said assay being performed on the sample, or on an aliquot thereof;   e) obtaining an image of the sample, or an aliquot thereof, with said cytometric station; and   f) detecting the presence of at least one disease marker in the sample, or in an aliquot thereof.   
     
     
         158 . The method of  claim 157 , comprising detecting the presence of at least two disease markers in the sample, or in an aliquot or aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         159 . The method of  claim 157 , comprising detecting the presence of at least three disease markers in the sample, or in an aliquot or aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         160 . The method of  claim 157 , comprising detecting the presence of at least two disease markers in the sample, or in an aliquot or aliquots thereof, wherein said detecting comprises detecting at least one disease marker using the cytometry station, and detecting at least one disease marker using a detector. 
     
     
         161 . The method of  claim 157 , comprising detecting the presence of at least three disease markers in the sample, or an aliquot or aliquots thereof, wherein said detecting comprises detecting at least one disease marker using a cytometry station, and detecting at least two disease markers using a detector. 
     
     
         162 . The method of  claim 157 , comprising detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, and a cell morphology disease marker in the sample, or in an aliquot or aliquots thereof. 
     
     
         163 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein detecting the presence of a disease marker comprises detecting a disease marker selected from a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for inflammation selected from a prostaglandin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, a complement system molecule, a blood-clotting factor, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and a morphological change in a blood or other cell. 
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for inflammation selected from a lymphokine, a chemokine, an interleukin, and an interferon. 
     
     
         166 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         167 . The method of  claim 157 , comprising detecting two or more disease markers, wherein one of said disease markers is a marker for inflammation, and one of said disease markers a marker for a disease-causing agent. 
     
     
         168 . The method of  claim 167 , wherein said disease marker for inflammation is selected from a prostaglandin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), an interleukin, an interferon, bradykinin, a lymphokine, a chemokine, a complement system molecule, a blood-clotting factor, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and a morphological change in a blood or other cell; and said disease marker for a disease-causing agent is selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         169 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease selected from influenza, a respiratory disease, a sexually transmitted disease, and another infectious disease. 
     
     
         170 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for an influenza selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         171 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a respiratory disease selected from an upper respiratory disease and a lower respiratory disease. 
     
     
         172 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a respiratory disease selected from the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         173 . The method of  claim 158 , comprising detecting two or more disease markers indicative of respiratory diseases, wherein said disease markers are selected from two or more of the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhais, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a sexually transmitted disease selected from a disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 158 , comprising detecting two or more disease markers indicative of sexually transmitted diseases caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         166 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease-causing agent selected from Influenza A Matrix protein, Influenza H3N2, Influenza H1N1 seasonal, Influenza H1N1 novel, Influenza B,  Streptococcus pyogenes  (A),  Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus  (MR),  Staphylococcus aureus  (RS),  Bordetella pertussis  (whooping cough),  Streptococcus agalactiae  (B), Influenza H5N1, Influenza H7N9, Adenovirus B, Adenovirus C, Adenovirus E, Hepatitis b, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis delta,  Treponema pallidum , HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV-1, HIV-2, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Trypanosoma cruzi  (Chagas),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  carbapenemase (KPC), Epstein Barr Virus (mono), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza virus (1), Parainfluenza virus (2), Parainfluenza virus (3), Parainfluenza virus (4a), Parainfluenza virus (4b), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Novel Coronavirus, Bocavirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (penic R),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (S),  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella parpertussis, Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic R),  Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic S),  Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas  spp ( aeruginosa ),  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Enterobacter cloacae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Enterobacter aerogenes  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Serratia marcescens  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Acinetobacter baumanii, Legionella  spp,  Escherichia coli, Candida, Chlamydia trachomatis , Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria gonorrhoeae, plasmodium , and  Trichomonas  (vagin). 
     
     
         177 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the method is a point-of service (POS) method performed at a POS location. 
     
     
         178 . The method of  claim 158 , comprising performing a plurality of assays on a single sample, or on an aliquot or aliquots thereof, wherein said assays are performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         179 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a tuberculosis ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis ) marker. 
     
     
         180 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a  Staphylococcus  bacterium. 
     
     
         181 . The method of  claim 180 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a  Staphylococcus  bacterium selected from a  Staphylococcus aureus  and Methycillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus.    
     
     
         182 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a  Streptococcus  bacterium. 
     
     
         183 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a Corona virus. 
     
     
         184 . The method of  claim 183 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a Corona virus selected from Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus NL63, and Coronavirus OC43. 
     
     
         185 . The method of  claim 157 , wherein the disease marker is selected from the group of disease markers for disease-causing organisms consisting of West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus,  plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi , and a Dengue Virus. 
     
     
         186 . The method of  claim 157 , comprising detecting the presence of two disease markers elected from a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         187 . A method for determining the stage of an infection in a subject suffering from an infection, comprising:
 Testing at least one sample, or an aliquot or aliquots thereof, obtained from said subject 1) for the presence of a nucleic acid indicative of the infection, and 2) for the presence of an antibody indicative of the infection, and   Determining whether the relative amounts of the results of the nucleic acid test and the antibody test indicate that the infection is a recent infection, or not, wherein a) a greater relative amount of the results of the nucleic acid test as compared to the relative amount of the antibody test indicate that the infection is a recent infection, and b) a significant amount of antibody to the infectious agent in the antibody test indicate the infection is not a recent infection.   
     
     
         188 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein the at least one sample is selected from a throat swab sample, a cheek swab sample, nasal swab sample, a saliva sample, and a blood sample. 
     
     
         189 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein a sample is divided into at least two portions. 
     
     
         190 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein a significant amount of antibody to the infectious agent is detected, and further wherein nucleic acid markers indicative of the infectious agent are relatively sparse, wherein the infection is in a late stage. 
     
     
         191 . The method of  claim 190 , wherein the infection is waning. 
     
     
         192 . The method of  claim 187 , comprising testing said sample for a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         193 . The method of  claim 192 , wherein the marker for inflammation is selected from a prostaglandin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, a complement system molecule, a blood-clotting factor, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and a morphological change in a blood or other cell. 
     
     
         194 . The method of  claim 192 , wherein the marker for inflammation is a cytokine selected from a lymphokine, a chemokine, an interleukin, and an interferon. 
     
     
         195 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein said testing comprises testing to determine whether the subject suffers from a bacterial infection, a viral infection, a yeast infection, a mycoplasma infection, a fungal infection, other infection, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         196 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein said testing comprises analysis to determine whether the subject suffers from a bacterial infection or a viral infection. 
     
     
         197 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises prescription of an antibiotic when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a bacterial infection. 
     
     
         198 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-mycoplasmal drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a mycoplasmal infection. 
     
     
         199 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-viral drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         200 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic, when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         201 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic, and providing the prescription of an anti-viral drug, when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         202 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-fungal drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a fungal infection. 
     
     
         203 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein providing a prescription for said suitable treatment comprises the prescription of an anti-yeast drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a yeast infection. 
     
     
         204 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein the disease detected is caused by a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms, and further comprising providing a prescription for the suitable treatment of said virus, bacterium, mycoplasm, fungus, yeast, or other micro-organism. 
     
     
         205 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         206 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein the methods are for performing a plurality of assays on a single small-volume clinical sample, or on aliquots thereof, and may be performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         207 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein the infection is caused by a disease selected from influenza, a respiratory disease, a sexually transmitted disease, and another infectious disease. 
     
     
         208 . The method of  claim 207 , wherein the infection comprises influenza, wherein said influenza is selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         209 . The method of  claim 207 , wherein the infection comprises a respiratory disease selected from an upper respiratory disease and a lower respiratory disease. 
     
     
         210 . The method of  claim 209 , wherein the respiratory disease is selected from the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         211 . The method of  claim 207 , wherein the infection comprises a sexually transmitted disease selected from a disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         212 . The method of  claim 187 , wherein the infection comprises a disease caused by an infectious disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of Influenza A Matrix protein, Influenza H3N2, Influenza H1N1 seasonal, Influenza H1N1 novel, Influenza B,  Streptococcus pyogenes  (A),  Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus  (MR),  Staphylococcus aureus  (RS),  Bordetella pertussis  (whooping cough),  Streptococcus agalactiae  (B), Influenza H5N1, Influenza H7N9, Adenovirus B, Adenovirus C, Adenovirus E, Hepatitis b, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis delta,  Treponema pallidum , HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV-1, HIV-2, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Trypanosoma cruzi  (Chagas),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  carbapenemase (KPC), Epstein Barr Virus (mono), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza virus (1), Parainfluenza virus (2), Parainfluenza virus (3), Parainfluenza virus (4a), Parainfluenza virus (4b), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Novel Coronavirus, Bocavirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (penic R),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (S),  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella parpertussis, Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic R),  Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic S),  Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas  spp ( aeruginosa ),  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Enterobacter cloacae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Enterobacter aerogenes  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Serratia marcescens  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Acinetobacter baumanii, Legionella  spp,  Escherichia coli, Candida, Chlamydia trachomatis , Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria gonorrhoeae, plasmodium , and  Trichomonas  (vagin). 
     
     
         213 . The method of  claim 197 , wherein the bacterial infection comprises an infection caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Streptococcus pneumonia , Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         214 . The method of  claim 199 , wherein the viral infection comprises an infection caused by a virus selected from the group consisting of an influenza virus, herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV), West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus, a Dengue Virus, adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E, Metapneumo Virus, Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         215 . The method of  claim 214 , wherein the viral infection comprises influenza, wherein said influenza is selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         216 . The method of  claim 214 , wherein the viral infection comprises a Dengue virus, wherein said Dengue virus is selected from Dengue virus type 1, Dengue virus type 2, Dengue virus type 3, and Dengue virus type 4. 
     
     
         217 . A method of detecting a disease marker, comprising:
 a) introducing a cartridge comprising one or more samples into an automatic sample processing device, said cartridge being configured to hold at least one sample and being configured to hold a swab, wherein said automatic sample processing device comprises:
 i) a sample handling system configured to transport at least a portion of a sample and being configured to transport an independently movable assay unit; and 
 ii) an optical detector; 
   b) contacting a sample, or a portion thereof, with a movable assay unit, or a reagent, or both, for the performance of an assay for the detection of a disease marker, said contacting comprising transporting, with the aid of said sample handling system, at least a portion of said sample, or a movable assay unit, or a reagent, or combinations thereof;   c) positioning said sample, or portion thereof, at a location suitable for detection of an optical signal from the sample or portion thereof by said optical detector; and   d) detecting the presence of a disease marker.   
     
     
         218 . The method of  claim 217 , comprising performing two or more assays for the detection of disease markers, and detecting two or more disease markers in said one or more samples, or in one or more portions thereof. 
     
     
         219 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein said one or more samples comprises a blood sample. 
     
     
         220 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein said one or more samples comprises a sample obtained using said swab. 
     
     
         221 . The method of  claim 220 , wherein said sample obtained using said swab was obtained by swabbing a mouth, a throat, a nasal passage, a vaginal area, or other body cavity of a subject. 
     
     
         222 . The method of  claim 217 , comprising a first sample and a second sample, wherein said first sample comprises a sample obtained using said swab, and said second sample comprises a blood sample. 
     
     
         223 . The method of  claim 217 , comprising detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker and a protein disease marker. 
     
     
         224 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein said sample has a volume of less than about 500 microliters. 
     
     
         225 . The method of  claim 222 , comprising performing two or more assays for the detection of disease markers, and detecting two or more disease markers in said samples, or in one or more portions thereof. 
     
     
         226 . The method of  claim 225 , comprising detecting the presence of a nucleic acid disease marker and a protein disease marker. 
     
     
         227 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein said disease marker is selected from a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         228 . The method of  claim 225 , wherein said two or more disease markers are selected from a nucleic acid disease marker, a protein disease marker, a saccharide, a prostaglandin, a cytokine, histamine, a steroid, and a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         229 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein said disease marker is a marker for inflammation selected from prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, complement system molecules, blood-clotting factors, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and morphological changes in blood and other cells. 
     
     
         230 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein said disease marker is a marker for a disease-causing agent, wherein said disease-causing agent is selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         231 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of Influenza A Matrix protein, Influenza H3N2, Influenza H1N1 seasonal, Influenza H1N1 novel, Influenza B,  Streptococcus pyogenes  (A),  Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus  (MR),  Staphylococcus aureus  (RS),  Bordetella pertussis  (whooping cough),  Streptococcus agalactiae  (B), Influenza H5N1, Influenza H7N9, Adenovirus B, Adenovirus C, Adenovirus E, Hepatitis b, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis delta,  Treponema pallidum , HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV-1, HIV-2, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Trypanosoma cruzi  (Chagas),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  carbapenemase (KPC), Epstein Barr Virus (mono), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza virus (1), Parainfluenza virus (2), Parainfluenza virus (3), Parainfluenza virus (4a), Parainfluenza virus (4b), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Novel Coronavirus, Bocavirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (penic R),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (S),  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella parpertussis, Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic R),  Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic S),  Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas  spp ( aeruginosa ),  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Enterobacter cloacae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Enterobacter aerogenes  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Serratia marcescens  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Acinetobacter baumanii, Legionella  spp,  Escherichia coli, Candida, Chlamydia trachomatis , Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria gonorrhoeae, plasmodium , and  Trichomonas  (vagin). 
     
     
         232 . The method of  claim 225 , comprising detecting a disease marker in a blood sample and detecting a disease marker in a sample obtained from a swab, wherein one of said disease markers is a marker for inflammation, and one of said disease markers a marker for a disease-causing agent. 
     
     
         233 . The method of  claim 232 , wherein said disease marker for inflammation is selected from prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, complement system molecules, blood-clotting factors, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and morphological changes in blood and other cells, and said disease marker for a disease-causing agent is selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms. 
     
     
         234 . The method of  claim 227 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease selected from influenza, a respiratory disease, a sexually transmitted disease, and another infectious disease. 
     
     
         235 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for an influenza selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         236 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a respiratory disease selected from an upper respiratory disease and a lower respiratory disease. 
     
     
         237 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the disease marker is a respiratory disease marker for a disease-causing organism selected from the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         238 . The method of  claim 225 , comprising detecting a disease marker in a blood sample and detecting a disease marker in a sample obtained from a swab, wherein at least one of said disease markers is a marker for a disease-causing organism indicative of a respiratory disease selected from the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         239 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for a disease-causing organism indicative of a sexually transmitted disease selected from herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         240 . The method of  claim 225 , comprising detecting a disease marker in a blood sample and detecting a disease marker in a sample obtained from a swab, wherein at least one of said disease markers is a marker for a disease-causing organism indicative of a sexually transmitted disease selected from herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         241 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the disease marker is a marker for an infectious disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus,  plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi , and a Dengue Virus. 
     
     
         242 . The method of  claim 225 , comprising detecting a disease marker in a blood sample and detecting a disease marker in a sample obtained from a swab, wherein at least one of said disease markers is a marker for a disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus,  plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi , and a Dengue Virus. 
     
     
         243 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         244 . The method of  claim 222 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         245 . The method of  claim 217 , wherein the method may be performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         246 . The method of  claim 222 , wherein the method may be performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         247 . A method of determining the stage of an infection in a subject suffering from an infection, comprising:
 Testing at least one sample, or an aliquot or aliquots thereof, obtained from said subject 1) for the presence of a nucleic acid indicative of the infection, and 2) for the presence of an antibody indicative of the infection, and   Determining whether the relative amounts of a) nucleic acids indicative of the infection and b) antibodies indicative of the infection indicate that the infection is a recent infection, wherein i) a greater relative amount of the nucleic acids indicative of the infection as compared to the relative amount of the antibodies indicative of the infection indicate that the infection is a recent infection, and ii) a significant amount of antibodies to the infectious agent indicate the infection is not a recent infection.   
     
     
         248 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein the at least one sample comprises a blood sample. 
     
     
         249 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein the at least one sample comprises a sample selected from a throat swab sample, a cheek swab sample, nasal swab sample, a saliva sample, and a blood sample. 
     
     
         250 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein a significant amount of antibody to the infectious agent is detected, and further wherein nucleic acid markers indicative of the infectious agent are relatively sparse, wherein the infection is in a late stage. 
     
     
         251 . The method of  claim 247 , comprising testing said sample for a marker for inflammation. 
     
     
         252 . The method of  claim 251 , wherein the marker for inflammation is selected from a prostaglandin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon gamma (IF-γ), bradykinin, a complement system molecule, a blood-clotting factor, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count, and a morphological change in a blood or other cell. 
     
     
         253 . The method of  claim 251 , wherein the marker for inflammation is a cytokine selected from a lymphokine, a chemokine, an interleukin, and an interferon. 
     
     
         254 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein said testing comprises testing to determine whether the subject suffers from a bacterial infection, a viral infection, a yeast infection, a mycoplasma infection, a fungal infection, other infection, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         255 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein said testing comprises determining whether markers indicative of viral infection or markers indicative of bacterial infection are detected, effective to determine whether the subject suffers from a bacterial infection or a viral infection. 
     
     
         256 . The method of  claim 247 , further comprising providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection. 
     
     
         257 . The method of  claim 256 , wherein providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection comprises prescription of an antibiotic when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a bacterial infection. 
     
     
         258 . The method of  claim 256 , wherein providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection comprises the prescription of an anti-mycoplasmal drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a mycoplasmal infection. 
     
     
         259 . The method of  claim 256 , wherein providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection comprises the prescription of an anti-viral drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         260 . The method of  claim 256 , wherein providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic, when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         261 . The method of  claim 256 , wherein providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection comprises avoiding the prescription of an antibiotic, and providing the prescription of an anti-viral drug, when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a viral infection. 
     
     
         262 . The method of  claim 256 , wherein providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection comprises the prescription of an anti-fungal drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a fungal infection. 
     
     
         263 . The method of  claim 256 , wherein providing a prescription suitable for treatment of said infection comprises the prescription of an anti-yeast drug when the testing determines that the subject suffers from a yeast infection. 
     
     
         264 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein the disease detected is caused by a disease-causing agent selected from the group of disease-causing organisms consisting of a virus, a bacterium, a mycoplasm, a fungus, a yeast, and other micro-organisms, and further comprising providing a prescription for the suitable treatment of said virus, bacterium, mycoplasm, fungus, yeast, or other micro-organism. 
     
     
         265 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein the method is a point-of service method performed at a point-of-service location. 
     
     
         266 . The method of  claim 265 , wherein the methods are for performing a plurality of assays on a single small-volume clinical sample, or on aliquots thereof, and may be performed in less than about 40 minutes. 
     
     
         267 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein the infection is caused by a disease selected from influenza, a respiratory disease, a sexually transmitted disease, and another infectious disease. 
     
     
         268 . The method of  claim 267 , wherein the infection comprises influenza, wherein said influenza is selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         269 . The method of  claim 267 , wherein the infection comprises a respiratory disease selected from an upper respiratory disease and a lower respiratory disease. 
     
     
         270 . The method of  claim 269 , wherein the respiratory disease is selected from the group consisting of adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E,  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Metapneumo Virus,  Streptococcus pneumonia , Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         271 . The method of  claim 267 , wherein the infection comprises a sexually transmitted disease selected from a disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV),  streptococcus  B, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         272 . The method of  claim 247 , wherein the infection comprises a disease caused by an infectious disease-causing agent selected from the group consisting of Influenza A Matrix protein, Influenza H3N2, Influenza H1N1 seasonal, Influenza H1N1 novel, Influenza B,  Streptococcus pyogenes  (A),  Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus  (MR),  Staphylococcus aureus  (RS),  Bordetella pertussis  (whooping cough),  Streptococcus agalactiae  (B), Influenza H5N1, Influenza H7N9, Adenovirus B, Adenovirus C, Adenovirus E, Hepatitis b, Hepatitis c, Hepatitis delta,  Treponema pallidum , HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV-1, HIV-2, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Trypanosoma cruzi  (Chagas),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Klebsiella pneumoniae  carbapenemase (KPC), Epstein Barr Virus (mono), Rhinovirus, Parainfluenza virus (1), Parainfluenza virus (2), Parainfluenza virus (3), Parainfluenza virus (4a), Parainfluenza virus (4b), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Novel Coronavirus, Bocavirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (penic R),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (S),  Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella parpertussis, Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic R),  Haemophilus influenzae  (ampic S),  Moraxella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas  spp ( aeruginosa ),  Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Enterobacter cloacae  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Enterobacter aerogenes  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Serratia marcescens  ( Enterobacteriaceae  spp),  Acinetobacter baumanii, Legionella  spp,  Escherichia coli, Candida, Chlamydia trachomatis , Human Papilloma Virus,  Neisseria gonorrhoeae, plasmodium , and  Trichomonas  (vagin). 
     
     
         273 . The method of  claim 257 , wherein the bacterial infection comprises an infection caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (MTB),  Staphylococcus aureus , Methicillin-Resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  (MRSA), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Streptococcus pneumonia , Klibsiella pneumonia phoE,  Klebsiella pneumonia  KPC, and  Treponema pallidum.    
     
     
         274 . The method of  claim 259 , wherein the viral infection comprises an infection caused by a virus selected from the group consisting of an influenza virus, herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-2 Group A, HIV-2 Group B, HIV-1 Group M, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis Delta, herpes simplex virus (HSV), West Nile Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus, a Dengue Virus, adenovirus B, adenovirus C, adenovirus E, Metapneumo Virus, Parainfluenza Virus 1, Parainfluenza Virus 2, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Coronavirus OC43, Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus MERS, Coronavirus HKU1, Coronavirus 229E, Bocavirus type 2,4, and Bocavirus type 1,3. 
     
     
         275 . The method of  claim 274 , wherein the viral infection comprises influenza, wherein said influenza is selected from H1N1 (seasonal), H1N1 (novel), H3N2, H7N9, and H5N1. 
     
     
         276 . The method of  claim 274 , wherein the viral infection comprises a Dengue virus, wherein said Dengue virus is selected from Dengue virus type 1, Dengue virus type 2, Dengue virus type 3, and Dengue virus type 4.