GP leader raises questions about under-reporting of flu in Canterbury

 What is the  difference in real  cost  between Influenza  swabs and  the  Respiratory   Viral  Multiplex   swabs  which  look  for  approximately  20 different     respiratory   viruses  including  RSV , Parainfluenza strains,  Corona  virus  strains , as well  as Influenza , Rhinovirus, enterovirus  and   adenovirus  among others. Frequently   children  with   respiratory    conditions   that  have  got better and then  "  come  back"  when  tested are found to  be positive  for   2 or  even 3  respiratory  viruses   eg  Influenza  B  and  Enterovirus   or  Rhinovirus  , Enterovirus and  parainfluenza virus . 

With  increasing  numbers of  children at  preschool facilities  where   any  fever is  immediately     sent home and parents  told  to   see the  doctor  (? immediately ) being  able  to  educate the   facilities  and the  community   about   what   is  out there and the likely  time  course could help  reduce  attendances at  after hours  and convenience  clinics . 

So assuming that the swab comes back with some sort of respiratory viral infection what difference is it actually going to make to the management - or more importantly, the cost of management? Does adding cost and complexity improve outcomes?