Influenza viral RNA (positive results)
Influenza testing may be used to help diagnose an influenza infection (flu) and sometimes to help document the presence of influenza in the community. Testing may also be used to identify the type and/or the strain of influenza causing the infection. Rapid flu tests are best used within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to help diagnose influenza and determine whether or not antiviral drugs are a treatment option. Rapid tests vary in their ability to detect influenza. A positive molecular test result (RT-PCR) indicates that the person tested has influenza. Some of the tests that use this method can further identify the subtypes of influenza A, such as H1N1. A viral culture, if positive, can be used to identify the virus present. Rapid flu tests are best used within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to help diagnose influenza and determine whether or not antiviral drugs are a treatment option. Rapid tests vary in their ability to detect Influenza. Influenza is a viral infection with a characteristic constellation of symptoms, including chills, fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, and runny nose, often referred to as the “flu.. Influenza occurs primarily during the winter months (November through April in the United States).  A negative influenza test, despite flu-like symptoms, means that you have some other kind of viral infection, or it could also mean that the rapid tests did not obtain sufficient virus in the sample to provide a conclusive result.  Font Size. A. A. A. In most cases, a doctor can diagnose the flu based on symptoms, especially when these symptoms happen during the peak flu season. But sometimes your doctor may want to do an influenza rapid diagnostic test to be sure the influenza virus is responsible for your symptoms, not another health problem.  1 Influenza molecular assay interpretation will depend on the individual test that is performed. 2  For example, a negative result from an influenza molecular assay that only detects influenza A virus and the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype does not preclude infection with influenza B virus. This guidance focuses upon molecular assays for influenza as they are increasingly being used in clinical settings (1). Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and other molecular assays can identify the presence of influenza viral RNA in respiratory specimens. A negative influenza test may mean that the person has something other than influenza, that the test is not detecting the influenza strain, or that there is not sufficient virus in the specimen to allow it to be detected. Rapid flu tests are best used within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to help diagnose influenza and determine whether or not antiviral drugs are a treatment option. Rapid tests vary in their ability to detect influenza. 1 Depending on the test, a negative result for one influenza A virus subtype may not preclude infection with another influenza A virus subtype. 2  Some influenza molecular assays being used are not FDA-cleared and an evaluation has not been performed to assess the accuracy of all available RT-PCR and molecular assays. This guidance focuses upon molecular assays for influenza as they are increasingly being used in clinical settings (1). Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and other molecular assays can identify the presence of influenza viral RNA in respiratory specimens. Tests for influenza include molecular assays (including rapid molecular assays), rapid influenza diagnostic tests, immunofluorescence, viral culture or serology. This guidance focuses upon molecular assays for influenza as they are increasingly being used in clinical settings (1). Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and other molecular assays can identify the presence of influenza viral RNA in respiratory specimens. Molecular tests can detect influenza viral RNA (positive results) for a longer duration than other influenza testing (e.g., antigen testing-immunofluorescence or rapid influenza diagnostic tests). This guidance focuses upon molecular assays for influenza as they are increasingly being used in clinical settings (1). Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and other molecular assays can identify the presence of influenza viral RNA in respiratory specimens.
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/flu/tab/test https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/flu/tab/test http://www.quidel.com/immunoassays/rapid-influenza-tests http://www.medicalhealthtests.com/pathology-test/influenza-tests.html http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/flu-tests-detect-specific-viruses http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/molecular-assays.htm https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/flu/tab/test http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/molecular-assays.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/molecular-assays.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/molecular-assays.htm
What does a molecular flu test detect