What is the flu test and how does it work?

Post time: 2025-06-20 00:21:10

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is the flu test?
  3. How Does the Flu Test Work?
  4. Company Solutions
  5. References

Introduction

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can lead to mild to severe illness, and at times, it can be fatal. A flu test is an important diagnostic tool used by healthcare providers to determine if a patient has the flu, which aids in effective treatment and management of the condition.

What is the Flu Test?

A flu test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify the presence of influenza viruses in a patient's respiratory secretions. These tests can detect specific strains of the virus, providing crucial information for treatment decisions. Common types of flu tests include rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) and molecular assays.

How Does the Flu Test Work?

The flu test works by analyzing a sample taken from the patient's respiratory tract, commonly a nasopharyngeal swab. The process and effectiveness of these tests vary depending on the type of test used:

Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests (RIDTs)

RIDTs detect viral antigens in about 10-15 minutes. While convenient for quick screening, they typically offer sensitivity rates ranging from 50% to 70%, which means they may miss some positive cases.

Molecular Assays

Molecular assays, such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), have a higher sensitivity and specificity compared to RIDTs, often exceeding 90%. These tests detect viral RNA and can differentiate between influenza A and B strains. However, they require specialized laboratory equipment and may take longer to produce results.

Company Solutions

Roche Diagnostics

Roche offers the cobas® Influenza A/B & RSV test, which utilizes RT-PCR technology. It boasts high sensitivity and specificity, providing results within approximately 20 minutes. This test is automated and suitable for high-throughput settings.

Quidel Corporation

Quidel provides the QuickVue® Influenza A+B Test, a widely used RIDT. It delivers results in 10 minutes with moderate sensitivity. This test is CLIA-waived, making it suitable for point-of-care use.

Abbott Laboratories

Abbott's ID NOW™ Influenza A & B 2 is a rapid molecular test that combines speed and sensitivity, with results available in 13 minutes. It delivers high accuracy by detecting viral RNA.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information on Rapid Molecular Assays, RT-PCR, and other Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection. CDC.gov.
  2. World Health Organization. Influenza (Seasonal) Factsheet. WHO.int.
  3. Roche Diagnostics. cobas® Influenza A/B & RSV. diagnostics.roche.com.
  4. Quidel Corporation. QuickVue® Influenza A+B Test. quidel.com.
  5. Abbott Laboratories. ID NOW™ Influenza A & B 2. abbott.com.
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