title: Diagnostic virology.
abstract: A review of the indications for viral diagnostic procedures has been presented. Specific diagnosis is unnecessary and impractical in every patient with a suspected viral illness. In certain instances, however, the documentation of a viral disease by culture or serology may be of great value to the patient. The pediatrician must therefore use his judgment as to when to study the patient, and should resist the temptation simply to tell an anxious parent, "Don't worry; it's just a virus".
authors: Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, NY, USA.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Gershon
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006801:Humans; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*