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Influenza sentinel provider surveillance was instituted by the New Mexico Department of Health during the 1990-1991 season. Data are collected on outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) to track the annual influenza season; ILI is defined as temperature of > 100° F and cough and/or sore throat in a patient with no other explainable cause for these signs and symptoms.
Influenza is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite relatively poor sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen tests, they provide a tool for timely diagnosis and clinical management of influenza patients while antiviral treatment can decrease complications of this disease. Other studies have shown a decrease in diagnostic tests, antibiotics prescribed, and hospital stays in populations with a positive influenza test.