Duration of viral analysis in laboratory in the seasonal influenza period

Objective: Seasonal influenza is an acute viral respiratory tract infection which exhibits annual epidemics worldwide and effects all age groups. Surveillance studies provide monitoring annually circulating viruses. In addition, virus types can be determined in such period targeting patient-based diagnosis. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of duration of the viral classification studies in the laboratory on treatment planning in cases hospitalized due to influenza-like symptoms. Material and Methods: Children younger than 18 years of age, hospitalized due to symptoms that might be associated with influenza infection between the December 2015 and April 2016 influenza season were tested for Influenza A and Influenza B viruses in nasopharyngeal swab sampling. Demographic characteristics, duration of symptoms, duration to get the viral detection results (polymerase chain reaction: PCR) in the laboratory, and duration of hospitalization were evaluated. Results: A total of 132 pediatric patients were included in the study and the median age was 27.1 months (IQR (interquartile range): 4-99.7). Fifteen patients (11.3%) were influenza positive by PCR. Empirical oseltamivir treatment was given to 22% of the patients. Among the fifteen patients (11.3%) who were positive for influenza virus, six were administered empirical oseltamivir within the first 48 hours of admission, before the laboratory results were obtained and no antiviral was administered to the others found influenza positive. At the admission, the median symptom duration was 2 days (IQR: 1-4) whereas median hospitalization duration was 7 days (IQR: 4-11). The median duration to get the laboratory results was 8 days (IQR: 6.2-10). Conclusion: Waiting for the laboratory results may take time in the seasonal influenza infection period for patients with influenza symptoms and findings requiring hospitalization and this is not an effective method in influenza control. Thus, starting the treatment should be preferred at admission, and in the first 48 hours in indicated cases.