Influenza, Test or Treat?

Every year, influenza causes many people to become ill. All children 6 months and age and older should receive a yearly flu vaccine. Vaccination remains the best way to prevent influenza. Symptoms of influenza include abrupt onset of fever, myalgias, headache, nonproductive cough, sore throat and runny nose. Fever and cough are the two most common symptoms. When presented with these symptoms, providers are faced with the question to test and confirm the diagnosis of influenza or to initiate influenza treatment.

Jennifer Goldman, MD, Infectious Diseases specialist at Children's Mercy, discusses the role of influenza testing in clinical care and the risks and benefits of oseltamivir use.