Is relative viral load an important metric for treatment and prognosis of influenza A?

Zane Billings, a student at Western Carolina University, worked with Dr. Andreas Handel and graduate student Brian McKay in the UGA College of Public Health.

Abstract
Influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) present with several of the same symptoms, including cough, fatigue, and weakness. However, ILIs can be caused by a range of different pathogens with vastly different treatments. Quantitative PCR is an incredibly specific and sensitive method to detect several ILIs, but until recently, qPCR methods were prohibitively expensive and required special training and equipment. Recent advances in qPCR technology have allowed for machines such as the Roche cobas Liat system to become available to point-of-care physicians. Using data collected from the University of Georgia Student Health Center, qPCR data was examined relative to patient and physician reported symptoms, as well as impacts and recovery from disease to determine if quantitative estimates of relative viral load are important for physicians to make informed decisions. While relative viral load estimates were found to be correlated to days since the onset of illness and patient temperature at diagnosis, no correlations were found between recovery or severity of illness and relative viral load. However, the study sample was very limited and more research should be performed on broader study populations.

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