Diagnosis and treatment of influenza in primary healthcare: "You can't manage what you can't measure"

Early, accurate diagnosis of influenza is crucial. On an individual level, it enables effective treatment using antiviral drugs or other therapies. On a societal level, it could help national and international health authorities to contain epidemics or a pandemic. Yet influenza is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Various tests seek to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis. Rapid diagnostic tests can be effective but their accuracy is influenced by the prevalence of influenza and other factors. Ultimately, laboratory tests are needed to confirm the influenza case and to obtain other information that can be used to develop a vaccine or contain the influenza outbreak. Cell cultures are the 'gold standard' in testing because they offer both the most accurate diagnoses and the opportunity for further study of the virus culture.