Does Johnny have the Flu?

Based on Johnny’s symptoms, the doctor has these diseases listed on their differential diagnosis: - Influenza - Common cold - COVID-19 - Lyme disease The diseases are listed in order of most likely to least likely.

Due to the Doctor's prompt action and prescription medication, Johnny is already starting to feel better the day after!

The doctor decided to prescribe Johnny with an antiviral drug that will lessen Johnny’s symptoms and shorten the days he is sick. The antiviral drug can also prevent Johnny from developing more serious flu complications, such as pneumonia

One day after school, Johnny started feeling a bit sick. His symptoms include a fever, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, and headaches

Since the doctor has concluded that influenza is the most likely disease, they will now administer a test to confirm whether or not Johnny has it. Diagnostic tests available for influenza include viral culture, serology, rapid antigen testing, reverse

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) are immunoassays that can identify the presence of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens in respiratory specimens, and display the result in a qualitative way (positive vs. negative). Johnny tested

Johnny’s mom decided to take him to the doctor. The first thing the doctor did was to note down Johnny’s symptoms. Then, the doctor asked Johnny about places he has been recently. This is so that the doctor could identify possible exposures. Johnny told

In Johnny’s case, the doctor decided to administer a rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) as that would be the fastest and easiest testing method. A Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) provide results within approximately 15 minutes with a 50-70%

Next, the doctor will perform a physical exam. What they’re looking for will be clinical signs. These clinical signs, along with Johnny’s history, will be used to create a differential diagnosis. A differential diagnosis is a short-list of diseases that