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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
Laboratory tests
Samples of fluids from your nose or throat can be tested for the presence of a flu virus. In the past, these types of tests could take hours or even weeks to complete. When more-rapid tests became available, they couldn't distinguish between bird flu and other types of influenza. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a type of test that can identify bird flu viruses in less than an hour.
Imaging tests
X-rays may be useful in assessing the condition of your lungs, which can help determine the proper diagnosis and the best treatment options for your signs and symptoms.
- Key facts about avian influenza (bird flu) and avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Areas with confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza since 2003. World Health Organization. http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_H5N1inHumanCUMULATIVE_FIMS_20090506.png. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Beigel JH. Influenza. Critical Care Medicine. 2008;36:2660.
- Influenza, Avian. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/160112679-3/888248314/2088/347.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00018-6--s1115_7157. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Epidemiology, transmission and pathogenesis of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Avian influenza vaccines. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2009.
- What consumers need to know about avian influenza. FDA. http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm085550.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.
- Flu (Influenza): What's the difference between seasonal flu, pandemic flu and avian (bird) flu? National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/Flu/understandingFlu/DefinitionsOverview.htm. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.
- FDA clears rapid test for avian influenza A virus in humans. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm149557.htm. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- Stephenson I. Treatment and prevention of avian influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- Avian influenza (bird flu). World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/print.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
- H5N1 influenza virus vaccine questions and answers. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm080753.htm. Accessed Sept. 17, 2009.
