An infectious disease which is caused by an influenza virus.These viruses that routinely spread in people are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year.

1. Overview of Influenza

2. INFLUENZA
❖ It is commonly known as FLU.
❖ An infectious disease which is caused by an influenza virus.
❖ This is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system.
❖ There are two main types of influenza virus : Types A and B.
❖ These viruses that routinely spread in people are responsible for seasonal
flu epidemics each year.

3. SYMPTOMS OF INFLUENZA
★ High Fever
★ Runny nose
★ Sore throat
★ Muscle Pains
★ Headache
★ Coughing
★ Feeling tired.

4. INFLUENZA TESTING METHODS
The diagnostic tests available for influenza include
❏ Viral Culture
❏ Serology
❏ Rapid Antigen Testing
❏ RT-PCR
❏ Rapid Molecular Assays
❏ Immunofluorescence Assays

5. Viral Culture
❖ The samples are placed with a cell type that the virus being tested for is
able to infect.
❖ The collection of some respiratory samples for viral culture is essential for
determining te influenza A virus subtypes.
❖ Influenza A and B virus strains causing illness.
❖ Traditional viral culture has been generally superseded by shell vial culture.
❖ The viral growth is measured by antigen detection methods.

6. Serology
❖ It is the scientific study of serum and other bodily fluids.
❖ The term usually refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the
serum.
❖ They are typically formed in response to an infection against other foreign
proteins.
❖ This blood test help to diagnose patients with certain immune deficiencies
associated with the lack of antibodies.
❖ These methods are used to identify antibodies and antigens in patients
sample which is serum and plasma.

7. RIDT
❖ RIDT- Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test
❖ These are immunoassays that can identify the presence of influenza A
and B viral nucleoprotein antigens in respiratory specimens
❖ It displays the result in a qualitative way.
❖ It produces quick result.

8. Immunofluorescence Assays
❖ It is a technique which is used for light microscopy with a fluorescence
microscope.
❖ It is used primarily on microbiological samples.
❖ It uses the specificity of antibodies to their antigen to target fluorescent dyes
to specific biomolecule target within the cell.
❖ It allows the visualisation of the distribution of the target molecule through
the sample.

9. RTPCR
❖ Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
❖ It is also known as QPCR - Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.
❖ This is a laboratory technique of molecular biology based on the
polymerase chain reaction.
❖ It monitors the amplification of a targeted DNA molecule during the PCR
❖ It can be used quantitatively and semiquantitatively

10. Conclusion
❖ Early detection helps to protect us from the influenza virus.
❖ Freiburg Medical Laboratory in Dubai offers influenza test to counter
the spread of influenza rapidly.

11. THANK YOU !