Clinical Description & Lab Diagnosis of Influenza
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Guidance and Procedures
- Influenza Signs and Symptoms and the Role of Laboratory Diagnostics
- Influenza Virus Testing Methods
- Guide for considering influenza testing when influenza viruses are circulating in the community
- Algorithm to assist in the interpretation of influenza testing results and clinical decision-making during periods when influenza viruses are circulating in the community
- Algorithm to assist in the interpretation of influenza testing results and clinical decision-making during periods when influenza viruses are NOT circulating in the community
- Influenza virus testing in investigational outbreaks in institutional or other closed settings
- Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests
- Guidance for Clinicians on the Use of RT-PCR and Other Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection
- Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza: Information for Health Care Professionals
Information for Laboratory Directors and Staff
Continuing Education and Resources
- Continuing Education course by CDC and the Joint Commission: “Strategies for Improving Rapid Influenza Testing in Ambulatory Settings.” This course is intended for physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses in ambulatory settings and medical office staff that collect respiratory specimens or perform rapid influenza diagnostic testing. Four 30-minute topic-specific modules are available that offer .5 CE credits each.
- The Joint Commission presents instructional videos on specimen collection for health care personnel, including nasal throat swabs and nasophayngeal swabs.
- Department of Transportation (DOT): Transporting Infectious Substances Safely [2.45 MB, 36 Pages]. Refer to this DOT guidance for shipment of clinical specimens for diagnostic testing.
Influenza Specimen Collection Desk Reference Guide
Influenza Specimen Collection Visual Guide
Related Links
- Diagnostic Accuracy of Novel and Traditional Rapid Tests for Influenza Infection Compared With Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- MMWR: Evaluation of 11 Commercially Available Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests — United States, 2011–2012, November 2, 2012
- Microbiology Devices; Reclassification of Influenza Virus Antigen Detection Test Systems Intended for Use Directly With Clinical Specimens
- Annals of Internal Medicine: Influenza
- Page last reviewed: October 5, 2017
- Page last updated: October 5, 2017
- Content source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
- Page maintained by: Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Digital Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs