Table 1.

Appropriate initial investigations for common suspected viral illnesses

SUSPECTED ACUTE VIRAL ILLNESSAPPROPRIATE INVESTIGATIONS FOR ACUTE ILLNESS
Hepatitis A

  • Serology for IgM and IgG antibodies

Hepatitis B

  • Hepatitis B surface antigen

  • Anti–hepatitis B surface antibody

  • Anti–hepatitis B core antibody

Hepatitis C

  • Anti–hepatitis C antibody

Measles

  • Serology for IgM and IgG antibodies

  • Throat or NP swab of measles RNA

  • Urine for measles RNA

Mumps

  • Serology for IgM and IgG antibodies

  • Buccal swab for mumps RNA

  • Urine for mumps RNA

  • Ig—immunoglobulin, NP—nasopharyngeal, RNA—ribonucleic acid. Data from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.11–15