The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

There are no screening tests for colds and influenza. Diagnosis and treatment begin with the onset of symptoms.

REFERENCES:

Common cold. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/respiratory-viruses/common-cold. Updated April 2014. Accessed August 15, 2017.

Influenza. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/respiratory-viruses/influenza. Updated April 2014. Accessed August 15, 2017.

Influenza in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/influenza-in-adults. Updated September 27, 2016. Accessed August 15, 2017.

Upper respiratory infection (URI) in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/upper-respiratory-infection-uri-in-adults-and-adolescents-18. Updated April 10, 2017. Accessed August 15, 2017.

Last reviewed September 2018 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP