Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of influenza in outpatient children.

Abstract

In a prospective study, children < or =13 years of age with respiratory infections were examined. At each visit, a nasal swab specimen was obtained for the detection of influenza, and the physician recorded his or her opinion on whether the child had influenza. Among 2288 infections, the overall sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis of influenza was 38% and the positive predictive value was 32%.