Influenza Testing Update: April 2023

This winter, West Michigan influenza infections peaked in December 2022 and significantly declined throughout February and March 2023. Now with a low prevalence of circulating influenza, using the most sensitive diagnostic test is recommended in order to obtain accurate and actionable results. Influenza antigen testing (e.g. Sofia instrument) is no longer appropriate at this time and Influenza PCR testing should be ordered when clinically indicated.

 

	Low Influenza Prevalence	High Influenza Prevalence
Recommended Order	Influenza PCR (LAB3255)	Influenza Rapid Antigen (LAB2111530) or Influenza PCR (LAB3255)

 

More detailed information can be found as published by the CDC:

Algorithm to assist in the interpretation of influenza testing results and clinical decision-making during periods when influenza viruses are NOT circulating in the community, and in previous lab newsletters: Influenza Diagnosis and Test Utilization

 

TEST INFORMATION

Test name	Epic code	Interface EMR Code	CPT Code
Influenza PCR	LAB3255	11594	87502 x2
Influenza Rapid Antigen	LAB2111530	11208	87804 x4