Linked Life Data

19067610

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/19067610

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-12-10
pubmed:abstractText
Accumulating evidence supports the use of specific diagnostic tests and antiviral therapies for seriously ill patients with influenza. Among available diagnostic tests, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction is faster than culture and more sensitive than commercial antigen assays. Current neuraminidase inhibitors were approved on the basis of their efficacy in ambulatory patients, but seriously ill patients who receive these agents are less likely to die, even when treatment is initiated >48 h after symptom onset. For patients hospitalized with suspected influenza, it is unclear which circumstances warrant diagnostic testing and which warrant the use of empirical therapy. Rapid antigen assays may reduce the unnecessary use of other tests and medications but are relatively insensitive, thus eliminating many patients with influenza as candidates for treatment. Empirical antiviral therapy ensures that all patients receive treatment promptly, at a cost equivalent to that of diagnostic tests alone, but results in the receipt of treatment by many patients without influenza. For patients hospitalized with suspected influenza, clinicians need to combine these approaches in order to optimize patient care.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1537-6591
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
1
pubmed:volume
48 Suppl 1
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
S14-9
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2009
pubmed:articleTitle
Diagnostic testing or empirical therapy for patients hospitalized with suspected influenza: what to do?
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Medicine and Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Division of Infection Control, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada. amcgeer@mtsinai.on.ca
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't