Rapid test for influenza in diagnostics.

In Poland no vaccines against influenza type A/H1N1 were available in the epidemic season 2009/2010. In our Department within 45 days (November-December 2009) 17 influenza suspected children (24%) were positive for influenza type A (QiuckVue Influenza A + B rapid tests). Of these 17 children, seven were hospitalized at the pediatric department. In six of them the presence of the A/H1N1v virus RNA was confirmed with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, Polymerase Chain Reaction). The initial presentation of influenza was unspecific. The possibility of performing the rapid test for influenza in the epidemic season proved to be very useful in the clinical diagnostics and management.