Rapid Flu Test Unreliability
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Google Flu Trends, the United States is experiencing a widespread influenza epidemic. This influenza season has been characterized by an earlier onset than usual, severe illness requiring hospitalization, a lower vaccination rate and a mismatch between this year's flu vaccine and an H3N2 strain of influenza A that has undergone genetic drift.
Adding to the difficulties of this influenza season has been the unreliability of some of the rapid influenza tests that are used for diagnosis in physician offices and emergency rooms. I have observed both false negative and false positive results with the BD Veritor System compared to influenza A/B PCR.
Laboratorians need to identify these problems so that physicians do not miss cases of influenza or unnecessarily treat patients with anti-viral medications. Has anyone else experience problems with their rapid flu tests?
