A new 10-minute nasal swab test for influenza has been introduced by Washington, Tyne & Wear-based diagnostics company CDx. It claims to allow A & E departments to triage incoming patients showing signs of influenza and allocate resources appropriately to treat each patient more effectively.
There are three specific types of influenza, influenza A, B and C, but only types A and B cause significant disease worldwide. The strain of influenza A, H1N1, referred to as ‘swine flu’ has never before circulated among humans and is not related to previous or current human seasonal influenza viruses.
Figures released by the Department of Health last week showed that 95% of deaths were caused by the influenza A (H1N1) swine flu strain. Thus, it is important that clinicians make immediate, informed decisions on patient treatment at the point of arrival in hospital, to direct those patients appropriately for the most effective action. Patients who test negative can be given paracetamol and sent home, while those testing positive for seasonal flu only, unless particularly frail, can also be discharged to home. However, those testing positive for the influenza A (H1N1) swine flu strain or a combination of seasonal flu and swine flu can be considered for more intensive treatment.
From Korea with care
A new test has been developed in Korea by one of the world’s leading manufacturers of rapid virus diagnostic testing kits. Studies carried out by the Korean Centre for Disease Control and Protection have confirmed that the test is 100% specific in identifying the influenza A (H1N1) subtype.
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