The diagnostic accuracy of flu tests is often overestimated by clinicians. Rapid Influenza Testing The diagnostic accuracy of influenza swabs is often overestimated by clinicians. Another study in Turkey showed that the sensitivity of rapid influenza testing for H1N1 ranged from Sensitivity in children is somewhat higher since they tend to shed more virus. Both the CDC and the FDA note that once influenza is established in a community, false negative rates of rapid influenza testing increase and therefore a negative flu swab should not be used to exclude influenza as a diagnosis.
To determine whether or not you have an influenza infection flu, especially if you are hospitalized, have a weakened immune system, or are otherwise at an increased risk of serious complications from influenza; to help your healthcare practitioner make treatment decisions; to help determine whether or not the flu has spread to your community. When it is flu season and a healthcare practitioner wants to determine whether your symptoms are due to seasonal influenza A or B or to another cause; within 3 to 4 days of the onset of signs and symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, weakness, fatigue, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and sometimes runny nose. Depending on the test used, a respiratory sample collected on a swab from the nasopharynx or a nasal aspirate ; sometimes, a nasal or throat swab. Influenza the flu is a common viral respiratory infection that causes an illness ranging from mild to severe, and sometimes can be fatal. Influenza testing detects the presence of the virus in a sample of respiratory secretions. Influenza tends to be seasonal, usually beginning in late fall and disappearing in early spring. Signs and symptoms like headache, fever, chills, muscle pains, exhaustion, a stuffy nose, sore throat, and a cough tend to be more severe and longer lasting than the symptoms caused by the common cold. Two types of influenza virus, A and B, cause annual flu pandemics and most epidemics.
These effects are temporary. However, rapid tests vary in their ability to detect flu viruses, depending on the type of rapid test used, and on the type of flu viruses circulating. Testing is also performed to look for new strains of viruses to help prevent possible pandemics, to monitor for antiviral resistance, and prepare for the next year’s flu vaccine. However, influenza testing can help rule out other illnesses and reduce the chances of people using unnecessary antibiotics, while increasing the chances that they will receive anti-viral therapy early in the illness, when it is most effective. Influenza flu : Diagnosis; Oct 5 [cited Oct 11]; [about 4 screens]. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Identify the type of flu virus that is causing infections. Your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help prevent flu complications.