NEWS-Line for Nurse Practitioners - 10-Minute QuickVue Influenza Test Helps Physicians Differentiate Between Influenza and Other Common Respiratory Illnesses Making Their Way Across the U.S.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

NEWSRoom

02/03/2000

10-Minute QuickVue Influenza Test Helps Physicians Differentiate Between Influenza and Other Common Respiratory Illnesses Making Their Way Across the U.S.

Rate It!

Quidel Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) is advising physicians that its QuickVue(R) Influenza Test can significantly aid in the diagnosis of influenza in patients presenting with acute upper respiratory illness.

"Because a number of viral and bacterial infections can present this time of year with acute respiratory symptoms similar to those of influenza, it is important to be able to identify those patients who actually have influenza and would benefit from specific antiviral therapy," said Dr. Charles Bowden, chief medical officer of Quidel Corporation. "It is equally important to identify those patients who have a bacterial or more serious viral illness so that they can be treated appropriately as well."

According to a public health advisory published by the FDA, health care professionals should be aware that patients with severe influenza-like illness, especially those who have chronic medical conditions, may have significant bacterial infections. The FDA cautions that the currently approved flu products have no activity against bacterial infection and patients should be treated with appropriate therapy.

Each year, U.S. physicians see roughly 90 million patients with an influenza-like illness, but only a third of these (about 30 million in a typical year) actually have influenza. According to surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of patient samples sent for culture during the past three years have been positive for the influenza virus. But the results of viral culture are not available for days after collection -- too late to be of much help in patient management
decisions.

The simple, 10-minute QuickVue(R) Influenza Test makes it possible for a physician to make a quick and accurate diagnosis in an emergency room, clinic or medical office. Test results can help the physician discriminate between influenza and other respiratory infections, which may appear similar to the flu.

"Since the QuickVue Influenza diagnostic test received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in September and began shipping in December, it
has been widely adopted by physicians," said Dr. Bowden.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Quidel, its products and its future activities within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve material risks and uncertainties. Many possible factors could affect the future results and performance of Quidel's products, such that actual results and performance may differ materially. If Quidel's products fail to perform as expected, or if there is lower consumer demand for these products than expected, Quidel's financial condition and operating results may be materially and adversely affected. Quidel's financial condition and operating results may also be
materially and adversely affected by a number of factors, including, without limitation, seasonality, adverse changes in competitive and economic conditions, actions by the Company's distributors, manufacturing and production delays or difficulties and adverse actions or delays in product reviews by the FDA. Please see the discussion of these and other factors in Quidel's annual reports on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. For more information, please visit Quidel's web site at
http://www.quidel.com.



Username:	Password:

Click here to join myNEWS-Line	Lost password?

Name (Required):
Email (Not Published):
Your Website:
Your Comment: