Emergency Department Visits with an Influenza Test Ordered or Provided: United States, 2013-2022
Year: 2024
Type: report
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Influenza, also known as flu, is a viral respiratory infection. In the 2022-2023 flu season, an estimated 31 million people developed influenza, 360,000 were hospitalized with influenza, and 21,000 died from influenza. To prevent more serious illness, early identification and treatment of influenza is important. This report uses data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) to study trends in the use of influenza testing at hospital emergency department (ED)visits from 2013 through 2022. Methods: tests at the 0.05 level. Linear regression was used to test the significance of slope. Key findings: ED visits by children ages 0-5 years had the highest percentage of influenza tests ordered or provided in 2013 and 2022. Percentages of ED visits with an influenza test ordered or provided increased between 2013 and 2022 for all age groups. Fever and cough were the most frequent first-listed reasons for ED visits at which an influenza test was ordered or provided in both 2013 and 2022. Percentages of ED visits with an influenza test ordered or provided increased within each region of the United States (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) between 2013 and 2022.
DOI: 10.15620/cdc/168516
Authors: Susan Schappert, Loredana Santo
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4403810606