| Disease | Injury | Nutrition | Poison |
| Special Topic | Surgery | Symptoms | Test |
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| Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention |
Influenza |
| Alternative Names: |
| Flu; Influenza A; Influenza B; Influenza C
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| Symptoms: |
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| Signs and tests: |
The evaluation of an individual with symptoms of influenza should include a thorough physical exam and in cases where pneumonia is suspected, a chest X-ray. Additional blood work may be warranted during the evaluation which may include a complete blood count, blood cultures and sputum cultures. The most common methods for diagnosing influenza include antigen detection tests, which are done on nose and throat (nasopharyngeal) secretions by swabbing these areas with a dacron swab and then sending a sample to the laboratory for testing. The results of these tests can be available rapidly, and can help decide if specific treatment is appropriate, but the diagnosis can often be made by identifying symptoms without further testing. |
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA and Philip L. Graham III, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of New York, Columbia University, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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