Determination of the frequency of influenza-A and B antigens in swab samples in differentiating the diagnosis of influenza infection from other causes of upper respiratory tract infection

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the frequency of influenza-A and B antigens in swab samples and to examine their potential changes at the time of initial diagnosis in differentiating the diagnosis of influenza infection from other causes of upper respiratory tract infection by physical examination and vital clinical signs in the emergency room.Material and Method: This retrospective cross-sectional descriptive research analyzed 113 patients with Influenza-A (n:8) and B (n:15) over the age of 18 who applied to the emergency department in the last three years, were diagnosed with acute upper respiratory tract and underwent nasopharyngeal swab sampling were included in the study. The data of the patients were accessed digitally from the University hospital database.Results: The headache score was higher, while there was no difference between vital clinical signs and those with positive or negative swab tests (p>0.05). White blood cells in blood count parameters were lower in the Influenza test-positive group (p<0.0001), platelet distribution width (p=0.006), and monocyte counts (p=0.008) were significantly higher in Influenza positive patients than negative ones. The influenza swab test was not positive in any patient with tonsillar crypt (p>0.05).Conclusion: Influenza infections should be examined in detail in terms of costs to both public health and social security institutions, considering the burdens of diagnosis and treatment.