Doctors Frequently Miss Flu Diagnosis in Young Children
According to a recently-released survey by the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors frequently miss flu diagnosis in young children, greatly underestimating the problem among children younger than age five. Researchers concluded that in four out of five preschoolers brought to a doctor's office or emergency room, influenza infections were not recognized. Lead author Dr. Kathernine A. Poehling, of Vanderbilt University, further noted, "Although the universal recommendation that all children 6 to 23 months of age be vaccinated was driven primarily by high hospitalization rates, our findings demonstrate that the outpatient burden of influenza is substantial." In a related editorial, Dr. W. Paul Glezen of Baylor College of Medicine, commented that, "This lack of recognition represents a missed opportunity to intervene to reduce both the risk of complications and the spread of the virus to contacts."
Researchers indicated that more cases could be detected with wider use of a rapid flu test. Many children are not even given flu tests in the doctor's office. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website provides additional information about rapid flu testing.