In most cases, a doctor can diagnosis the flu is based on symptoms, especially when these symptoms occur during the peak flu season. But sometimes your doctor may want to perform an influenza rapid diagnostic test to be sure the influenza virus is responsible for your symptoms and not another health problem.
Why Is a Flu Test Helpful?
Seasonal influenza epidemics are responsible for between 3 million and 5 million cases of severe illness and between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. On average, approximately 36,000 deaths due to seasonal influenza occur in the United States annually. Influenza viruses can also cause pandemics, such as the one that occurred in 1918 and killed at least...more
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