Provider Page

General Information

⇒ CDC 2009 H1N1 Resources for Clinicians
⇒ Idaho Case Counts
⇒ Idaho Health Alert Network (HAN)

Testing and Surveillance Information

Laboratory Testing

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) detect influenza A or B antigens in 30 minutes or less. As reported in the August 7^th, 2009 MMWR, overall sensitivities for the most frequently used RIDTs range from 40-69%. A negative RIDT does not rule out an influenza infection in the presence of compelling clinical criteria.It is important to note that none of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- approved RIDTs can distinguish between seasonal influenza A and novel influenza A and RIDTs cannot provide any information about antiviral drug susceptibility.

Virologic surveillance is important to determine what virus strain(s) are circulating and what strains are causing severe illness. The IBL performs FDA-approved (or Emergency Use Authorization) testing to detect Influenza A and B viruses, as well as the Influenza A sub-types [AH1,AH3, AH5, and pandemic (H1N1)]. IBL will only accept diagnostic test specimens from:

A person hospitalized with suspected influenza
A person with a fever AND either cough or a sore throat who:
- works in a hospital setting
- is pregnant
- is part of a possible outbreak being investigated by public health officials

Testing for individuals who do not fall into these categories can be requested from several commercial laboratories who are also performing the test.

Specimen Types and Proper Collection Techniques
Influenza specimen collection kits complete with swabs, viral transport media, and Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL) submission forms are available by contacting your local public health district. You may also obtain the sample submission form online. If you need more information about submitting samples, please visit the Clinical Microbiology website for IBL.

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Infection Control

⇒ Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare
Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel

    Updated interim guidance on infection control measures to prevent transmission of 2009 H1N1
    influenza in healthcare facilities. This updated guidance applies uniquely to the special
    circumstances of the current 2009 H1N1 pandemic and will be updated as necessary as new
    information becomes available throughout the course of this influenza season.

⇒ Questions and Answers about CDC's Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009
    H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Sttings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel

⇒ Questions and Answers Regarding Respiratory Protection for Infection Control Measures for
    2009 H1N1 Influenza among Healthcare Personnel
    Questions and Answers which provide additional information intended to assist healthcare
    facilities in optimizing implementation of recommended respiratory protection practices in the
    context of shortages of respiratory protection equipment.

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Antiviral Information for Providers

Intravenous peramivir IV available under FDA Emergency Use Authorization directly from CDC for certain hospitalized patients

The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic has the potential to affect the availability of antiviral medications for influenza and other materials that might be needed to fill such prescriptions.

For information on current national availability of influenza antivirals, alternatives to Tamiflu® oral suspension for pediatric patients (including alternative compounding supplies needed), and instructions for avoiding potential errors with using the oral dosing dispenser provided with Tamiflu® oral suspension, see CDC information for pharmacists.

Report adverse events associated with antivirals to Medwatch.

A note about vaccination and prescribing antiviral medication: 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine should not be given to persons taking antiviral agents for influenza until 48 hours after the last antiviral dose. Antiviral agents should not be taken until 2 weeks after getting 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine unless medically necessary.

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