Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 1-8 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 2 2 Diagnostic Methods for Influenza A (H1N1) Virus 2.1 Currently used diagnostic methods for influenza A (H1N1) virus include The commonly used diagnostic methods for influenza A (H1N1) virus currently mainly include source tracing examination, symptom examination, and laboratory testing. Source tracing examination is a method that assists doctors in diagnosing the disease by investigating patients' contact history and travel history. Since the H1N1 influenza virus is often contracted through contact with infected individuals or in disease hotspots before the onset of symptoms, understanding and analyzing this information allows doctors to make more accurate judgments on whether the patient is infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus (Swine, 2009). Symptom examination is a method based on the observation and evaluation of the patient's symptoms. Although the symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) virus are similar to those of common influenza, they tend to be more severe at the onset of the illness, typically peaking around days 4 to 7 and lasting for approximately one week. Some patients may experience some improvement. Therefore, by observing and evaluating the patient's symptoms, doctors can make a more accurate diagnosis of whether it is an infection with influenza A (H1N1) virus. Laboratory testing is a method that involves collecting samples such as throat swabs and nasal swabs from patients for nucleic acid examination and virus isolation testing. It is a relatively accurate diagnostic method (Figure 1). Nucleic acid examination is one of the important criteria for diagnosing influenza A (H1N1). If the results of throat swab or nasal swab tests are positive, it can be generally confirmed that the patient is infected. Virus isolation testing involves culturing and isolating nasal secretions, pharyngeal gargle fluids, and respiratory epithelial tissue cells from the patient's throat. If H1N1 virus can be clearly isolated, it can confirm the infection. Laboratory testing has high sensitivity and specificity, making it possible to accurately diagnose influenza A (H1N1) virus infection (María et al., 2021). Figure 1 Detection of throat swab and nose swab (Picture source: Sohu) 2.2 Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of various diagnostic methods Source tracing examination is a method used to determine the possibility of infection with influenza A (H1N1) virus by asking the patient about their travel history and contact history. The method has the advantages of being cost-effective and widely applicable. Source tracing examination does not require additional instruments and equipment, only the inquiry conducted by healthcare professionals or personnel from disease control departments. Therefore, it is a rapid diagnostic method for large-scale outbreak investigations. Furthermore, it is useful for preliminary assessment of the situation and can help determine whether further symptom examination or laboratory testing is needed. Symptom examination is a method used to assess the likelihood of influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by observing the patient's physical symptoms. The method has the advantages of being simple, non-invasive, and easy to perform. Doctors can preliminarily determine the need for further diagnostic measures by asking the patient about flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, etc. Furthermore, symptom examination does not involve any invasive procedures, thus causing no additional harm or injury to the patient's body.
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