Rapid diagnostic test for influenza

Rapid tests for influenza virus infection: 

upper: influenza A

lower: influenza B

In Japan, rapid tests for influenza virus infection are routinely used by Physicians.
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The sensitivities, when compared with viral culture, or reverse transcription 

polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)are approximately 85~98 %. 

The specificities are approximately 90~99%.

Both A and B are week positive: false results.

There are several sites to obtain the samples:
---------- 1) Nasopharyngeal swab: the best
---------- 2) Throat swab
---------- 3) Nasal swab

------------ New England Journal of Medicine -------

upper: classical cotton swab

middle: thin cotton swab 

lower: Tip flocked with Nylon fiber

Any questions: write to

--------------------Keiji Hagiwara, MD 

--------------------Kami-Ube Pediatric Clinic, Ube 755-0097, Japan.