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Diagnosing influenza in a child
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Influenza is clinically diagnosed when a typical form of the disease is detected in patients during an epidemic rise in morbidity.
For laboratory confirmation, an express method is used, which is based on the detection of viral antigens in the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract using RIF. The result can be obtained in 3 hours.
Serological diagnostics of influenza is based on the detection of a 4-fold or more increase in the antibody titer in paired sera taken at the onset of the disease and during the recovery period. In practical work, the most widely used are the RSC and RTGA. In recent years, ELISA with separate determination of specific antibodies of the IgM and IgG classes has been used more often.
Molecular genetic methods (usually PCR) are the most sensitive and specific.
Virological studies with the isolation and identification of the virus are carried out when a new epidemic or outbreak of influenza occurs. Chicken embryos and human embryonic cell cultures (kidneys and lungs) are used to isolate the virus.
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