2019 acute respiratory infections which are a symptom

number of antimicrobial resistance cases (Tillekeratne et al., 2019). Acute respiratory infections,
which are a symptom of influenza, are commonly treated with antibiotics
unnecessarily (Tillekeratne et al., 2019). Rapid Influenza testing is recommended in high-risk
individuals to allow for prompt treatment if indicated (CDC, n.d.). High-risk individuals include
children under five years old, especially under two years old; adults 65 years and older;
immunosuppressed individuals; pregnant women; and individuals with chronic pulmonary,
cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematologic, and metabolic disorders (CDC, n.d.).
How Rapid Influenza Testing is Conducted
Rapid Influenza testing is one of several ways influenza may be detected and
diagnosed (CDC, n.d.). One rapid influenza test is the rapid molecular assays which are rapid

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diagnostic tests that detect influenza virus nucleic acids in upper respiratory specimens (CDC,
n.d.). The test uses nasopharyngeal swabs and takes about 15-30 minutes to run (CDC, n.d.).
Another rapid influenza test is the rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDTs) which are antigen
detection assays (CDC, n.d.). RIDTs can detect influenza viral antigens in 10-15 minutes (CDC,
n.d.). There are several other tests that take longer such as immunofluorescence, viral culture,
and serologic testing (CDC, n.d.).