Numbers can be deceiving...even wrong sometimes.

In the land of diagnostic tests, a test may be provide less than accurate results. For
example, to receive an anti-viral medication for flu requires a positive test for flu antigens.

There is a chance (although small) that you test negative for flu and actually have flu and
a chance that you test positive for the flu and don’t actually have the flu.

Test +

Flu
Test -

Test +
No flu

Test -

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/laboratory/antigenic.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician guidance ridt.htm

Sensitivities of RIDTs are generally approximately 50-70%, but a range of 10-80% has been
reported compared to viral culture or RT-PCR. Specificities of RIDTs are approximately
90-95% (range 85-100%). Thus false negative results occur more commonly than false
positive results.
Name:
Mock Flu Test

Everyone in the room gets a flu test.

To randomly decide if you have flu symptoms:
1. Write down your student ID number (it is 8 digits):
2. Add up the digits of your student ID number:

Use the following criteria to determine your flu test and status:

• If your sum ends in an odd number, you do not have the flu symptoms.

• If your sum ends in an even number, you have flu symptoms.

• If your number sum is even and is divisible by 8, then you test positive for flu and
don’t actually have the flu. (false positive)

• If your number sum is odd and divisible by 7, 5, or 3, then you test negative for the
flu and actually have the flu. (false negative)

• If your number sum is even and not divisible by 8, then you have flu symptoms and
test positive for the flu. (true positive)

• If your number sum is odd and not divisible by 3, 5, or 7, then you did not have
symptoms and tested negative. (true negative)

1. Did you have flu symptoms?

2. What was your test result?

3. Was your test result accurate?

4. Were you infected?

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