The diagnosis of influenza.

Our ability to establish a specific diagnosis of influenza infections has dramatically improved. Clinical signs and symptoms of influenza infection and epidemiological indicators of an influenza outbreak can be verified with a variety of rapid detection methods. Viral isolation and an acute change in serology, which characteristically took from 5 to 28 days, are now being supplemented with methods that detect influenza viral antigen directly on clinical specimens and/or influenza virus in tissue culture within 24 to 48 hours following inoculation. These rapid diagnostic techniques are easily adapted in clinical microbiology laboratories and will provide diagnostic information so that the clinician can prescribe specific antiviral therapy.