Innovations in surveillance of influenza in primary care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Innovations in surveillance of influenza in primary care: A pilot study within a national sentinel surveillance network in England
IRAS ID
252081
Contact name
Simon de Lusignan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 26 days
Research summary
Influenza (flu) is a virus that can cause illness and death. Treatments need to be given within 24 to 48 hours from the onset of symptoms to be most effective. Recently, tests that can diagnose flu very fast and accurately have become available.
For the 2018/19 flu season, we will test new ways of identifying people with flu who come to see their GP. This includes taking nasal swabs of those with flu-like symptoms and performing rapid tests at the practice, rather than sending the swab to a laboratory. These tests are known as “point-of-care” tests.
Up to six general practices in England will take part in the study. All patients in these practices will be eligible to take part should they present to their general practice with flu-like symptoms or illness.
The study will take place between December 2018 and August 2019. Patients aged over six months with flu like symptoms will be assessed by a trained GP or nurse for suitability to take part. Informed consent will be obtained from volunteer patients for participation in this study. Consented patients will have nasal swabs taken by a GP or nurse. The swab will be tested for flu viruses using a test machine in the practice. This will produce a result in under 60 minutes and will be made available to the patient’s GP.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0015
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion