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Influenza A029

Document
Last amended 
11 September 2017
Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
44 of 2017
Balance of Probabilities SOP
45 of 2017
Changes from previous Instruments

SOP Bulletin 198

ICD Coding:
  • ICD-9-CM Codes: 487
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: J09, J10, J11
Brief description

This SOP covers regular seasonal influenza as well as bird flu and swine flu. If the condition has resolved without complications then "influenza – resolved" or "No Incapacity Found" may be the appropriate diagnostic label.

Confirming the diagnosis

Sufficient evidence that the claimed condition has been caused by an influenza virus and not some other infectious agent will be required.  Generally this will involve laboratory testing, but this will not always be required, depending on the indivdual circumstances.

The relevant medical specialist is an infectious diseases physician.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Animal influenza subtypes
  • Avian influenza
  • Bird flu
  • Influenza type A, B or C
  • Influenza A sub-types H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, H5N1 etc
  • Swine flu
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Other viral upper respiratory tract infections
Clinical onset

This is an acute, short lived infection.  Clinical onset will be at the time symptoms attributable to the particular episode of influenza virus infection first developed.  Any other bouts of influenza infection represent a separate condition with a separate clinical onset.

Clinical worsening

The only worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  The condition may resolve without treatment, but in a proportion of cases can be more severe, potentially requiring hospitalisation or resulting in death.