Can a person who has received LAIV test positive on a rapid influenza diagnostic test?
The live attenuated influenza vaccine viruses in LAIV (seasonal vaccine and 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine) can cause a positive result on a rapid influenza diagnostic test. The tests are designed to detect influenza viruses and cannot differentiate between live attenuated and wild-type influenza viruses. A positive test in a person who recently (in the previous 7 days) received LAIV and who also has an influenza-like illness could be caused by either LAIV or wild-type influenza virus.