Rapid Influenza testing in children and adults

Introduction
Influenza is, in basic terms, a viral attack on the respiratory system of an individual.  In most cases, it is simply referred to as the flu.  Some of the more common symptoms of influenza include, but they are not limited to, a sore throat, nasal congestion, weakness and fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and fever.  In as far as diagnosis is concerned, a physical exam is in most cases conducted alongside tests.  There are various tests that could be used in influenza diagnosis.  These could be inclusive of the rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs).  
Discussion
From the onset, it is important to note that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC (2016), RIDTs “are immunoassays that can identify the presence of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens in respiratory specimens, and display the result in a qualitative way (positive vs. negative).”  As CDC further points out, these tests are commercially available in the U.S.  Examples of RIDTs could be inclusive of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunochromatographic tests.  Due to their rapidity (i.e. rapidly available results) and ease of use, RIDTs are in most instances deployed at the point-of-care.   
During outbreaks of institutional respiratory diseases, RIDTs have in the past come in handy in as far as the identification of influenza is concerned.  Thanks to RIDTs authorities can act with speed to contain influenza – specifically via the advancement of prophylactic treatment to persons who despite presenting no flu symptoms have been exposed to virus (Peci, Winter, King, Blair, and Gubbay, 2014).  It should also be noted that as Peci, Winter, King, Blair, and Gubbay (2014) further point out, during outbreaks, RIDTs make it possible for “antivirals to be rapidly administered to patients” as one way of containing the said outbreaks (4310).    
There are various samples which could be utilized for RIDTs.  These are inclusive of tracheal washings or aspirate, as well as nasopharyngeal secretions and other respiratory specimens.  Specific optical signals, i.e. color change, are used to signal viral antigen presence (World Health Organization, 2018).  According to WHO, “the most common antigen target in commercially available pan-influenza6, influenza A, influenza B, or combination influenza A and B tests is nucleoprotein (NP)” (WHO, 2018, p. 11).  It would also be prudent to point out that RIDTs are often available in various formats.  Some of the formats identified by WHO include cards, cassettes, and dipsticks.   
The specificity of RIDTs happens to be rather high.  For seasonal influenza, the World Health Organization observes that specificity could be in the range of 90 to 100 percent.  On this front, “while false positive results can occur, they are uncommon when influenza viruses are circulating locally” (WHO, 2018, p. 15).   Although the time frame within which RIDTs yield results (i.e.