Can A False-Negative on a Flu Test Lead to Death?

A 15-year-old Georgia girl has become one of many US children to pass away during this year’s brutal flu season. Her story also shows what may happen when patients do not receive an accurate flu diagnosis. However, death can also occur when patients with the flu are not properly diagnosed and treated. According to the girl’s parents, they had taken her to a clinic after she became sick with flu-like symptoms. Doctors at the clinic tested the girl for the flu, but the results came back negative. Within less than three days, the girl died from liver failure. It was later confirmed she had died from complications caused by influenza A. The corner said it was possible the girl had received a false-negative from a rapid flu test. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned the public that rapid flu tests are accurate only 50 to 70 percent of the time. Rapid tests are the most common type used in hospitals during flu season. Patients can…

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