Do influenza A and B require blood tests?

Mar 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Ren Yi

Introduction

Whether blood tests are required for diagnosing influenza A and B depends on the patient's clinical condition. If the condition is well-controlled and there are no complications, blood tests are usually unnecessary, and diagnosis can be made through respiratory sample testing. However, if the condition is poorly controlled or complications are present, blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) or blood biochemistry may be needed to rule out other complications and assess the severity of the illness.

Generally speaking, "Jia Liu" refers to influenza A, and "Yi Liu" refers to influenza B. Whether influenza A or B requires blood tests mainly depends on the control status of the illness. If the condition is well-controlled and there are no other complications, blood tests are generally unnecessary. However, if the condition is poorly controlled and there are additional complications, blood tests may be necessary. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly if any discomfort occurs. Detailed explanations are as follows:

If after infection with influenza A or B, the condition has been controlled effectively through timely treatment and there are currently no complications such as respiratory distress or respiratory failure, blood tests are usually unnecessary. Both types of influenza can be diagnosed through viral nucleic acid testing or antigen testing of respiratory samples, without the need for blood tests.

However, if a patient's condition following infection with influenza A or B is poor and the illness is not well-controlled, and symptoms such as fever and general fatigue are present along with complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, then blood tests are necessary. These tests typically involve routine blood tests or blood biochemistry tests to promptly rule out bacterial infections and assess the severity of the illness.

It should be noted that both influenza A and influenza B are infectious diseases with relatively high transmissibility; therefore, preventive measures must be taken to avoid disease spread. Additionally, daily care should be strengthened, including maintaining a balanced diet and regular作息 (作息 translates to作息 habits or routines).

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Is influenza A classified as cold-type or heat-type common cold in traditional Chinese medicine?

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How many days does it take to recover from type B influenza?

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