Rapid flu tests only 50 to 70 percent accurate, CDC says

[question everything]

(snip)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the quick tests are only 50 to 70 percent accurate. They're the most common flu test performed at hospitals and clinics during flu season.

Last week,15-year-old Kira Molina went to a suburban Atlanta clinic when she wasn't feeling well. Her flu test came back negative, but a few days later, the teenager died of liver complications from the virus.

Dr. Cedric Spak is an infectious diseases doctor at Baylor Scott & White Health in Fort Worth, Texas.

"This is a test that can be easily done in the office as what they call a 'point of care' test," he said. "So you can get the results quickly at the exact time that you test it."

Some patients elect for a comprehensive lab test, which takes longer to complete and is more accurate. But even if a rapid test comes back negative, Spak says healthcare professionals are trained to treat symptoms.

The difference in cost between the two tests can also be a factor for patients. A quick test costs anywhere between $5 to $10. A lab test can cost upwards of $200.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rapid-flu-tests-only-50-to-70-percent-accurate-cdc-says/

[Doodley]

1. Flu tests and flu vaccines. I am very skeptical about that.

[BigmanPigman]

2. I was sick for two weeks with a low grade fever and went to Kaiser.

The doctor said I had a mild case of the flu and told me I could go back to work and gave me a 3 day doctor's note which I needed to be legit since I was an elementary school teacher and that was the requirement. I was so weak after 3 days that I couldn't even write substitute plans. I called my dad to drive me to my doctor's again for another doctor's note and he took me to the Kaiser hospital by mistake. I was reclining in the back seat and hadn't noticed. When we parked I realized the mistake and told him to go into the hospital to call my doctor and tell her we would be late. I collapsed in the parking structure and the next thing I remember is having attendees lift me into a wheel chair. I was in ER and the nurses couldn't get any blood out of my veins for a blood test. It turned out that I had lost 1/3 of my blood internally (a complication of pneumonia from untreated flu symptoms and an improper diagnosis). I had to have 3 transfusions of packed red blood cells and IV fluids for 3 days which added 30 pounds to my 95 pound body by the time I left the hospital. My lesson is...never ignore your body! If you feel sick go get help ASAP!!!!!! Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion too!!!!!

[No Vested Interest]

3. That sounds really scarey. Glad it turned out well. nt

[BigmanPigman]

4. Me too and it was.

Teachers in K-3 get sick a lot. My immune system is permanently damaged from it too. Between "routine" gunman drills and constant illness from my students I don't know why anyone would choose to be a teacher. School district BS with bureaucracies who care more about money than students and parents who think their little angels walks on water is enough to deal with on top of paying back loans for the various classes and degrees we must get just to keep our jobs, no pay increases in 5 years and the constant threat of pink slips/lay-offs is too, too much.

[question everything]

5. Scary. Glad you survived

and insisted on seeing a health care provider.

[rami999]

6. you dont need this

you can easily diagnose flu by its symptoms such as
Sudden fever
A high temperature of 38C or above.
Exhaustion.
Aching body.
Dry, chesty cough.
Headache.
Loss of sleep and appetite.
Sore throat.
Tummy and stomach pain.
Feeling sick
so you dont need to pay this amount of money in order to get diagnosed and you can find its treatment every where