Influenza A H1N1 has contributed to significant morbidity and mortality, yet very few studies on changes in hematologic and biochemical markers have been reported.
Clinicians and laboratory professionals need to be aware of the possibility of avian influenza A (H5N1) infection, and they must understand and recognize the indications for laboratory testing.
Influenza antigen detection test kits can provide results in 30 minutes and are used frequently for the detection of seasonal influenza infections.
Identification of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus requires emergency use authorized (EUA) molecular reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
Laboratory professionals need to understand the prevalence of influenza in the community, clinical manifestations, and test characteristics for the proper used of rapid diagnostic tests.
© 2015, American Proficiency Institute,
American Society for Clinical Pathology and The Joint Commission