not testing for influenza

Jolie, BSN · Dec 29, 2003

I thought there was a rapid test kit available for flu, somewhat like a rapid strep test. Is it really necessary to send blood to a county lab? If so, I can understand the doctors' hesitancy to bother with the test. By the time they get results back, it would probably be too late for Tamiflu anyway. Not to mention the cost!

stella123 rn · Dec 29, 2003

I am not sure what kind of test we use but it is rapid and comes back in only a few minutes.

WhyO · Dec 29, 2003

I asked a doc this the other day and he said that there is a shortage of the testing materials. He said our lab/hospital is out and i think it has something to do with the vaccine as well...sorry i can't remember the exact reason.

Big Bab's · Dec 29, 2003

We're not testing at our office either any more 1) we already ran out of swabs once (for the "quick flu" tests), 2) even if we know it's positive, we're giving them all the same tx, 3) we live in a very rural community and most likely everybody is going to show positive for antibodies cuz we've ALL been exposed by now......At least this is what our Docs are doing currently....On a humorous note I had a patient call the other day saying "I need to come get one of them flu shots, I started having symptoms and stuf today!"....I had to explain to him that the shot is a PREVENTATIVE measure not a CURE!!!.....I'm still amazed at the number of people who haven't been hearing this stuff in the media!!...Are they all livin' under rocks or what?!?

kcrnsue · Dec 29, 2003

I know in my state, Idaho, that the flu is not a reportable disease. Certain "sentinel" physicians do report anything that has flu-like symptoms. It is voluntary.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2003

you can test for flu by doing a nasal swab. However, the supply is low and in our hospital we are reserving it for people who are in life-threatening situations (like asthma kid on steroids).

sjoe · Dec 29, 2003

"I'm still amazed at the number of people who haven't been hearing this stuff in the media!!...Are they all livin' under rocks or what?!?"

No, they mostly have their own lives which more than fill their time and their brains. They don't have the time or energy to keep up to date on all the new medical problems and scares, the new tax laws, the politicians and their speeches, all the new technical gadgets, all the latest computer viruses, the current car sales scams, etc.

My guess is that you don't either. Have a little understanding and patience when everyone doesn't happen to know everything that you happen (and get paid!) to know.

Just a thought.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2003

We are using the rapid flu test nasal swabs in the ER where I work and use droplet isolation for those that test positive, if they are admitted.

As for the media, I take it with a grain of salt. The American media whether concsiously or unconsiously latches onto a story, and if it instills fear, they report it over and over and over again.

We've had severe flu outbreaks in this country for the last decade. I'm glad that we are more aware of it's dangers in the frail and immune compromised.