I'm a general internist, and the level of influenza activity in my community is just starting to generate higher numbers of adult patient vists with flu-like sypmtoms. H1N1 will overlap into the seasonal flu strains that routinely present during the holidays and continue through the winter months. Our office is going through boxes of Quidel's quickvue influenza tests at a much faster rate this month, than we have used in an entire flu season in past years. I see no let up likely until next spring.

Patients and caregivers are, for the first time in memory, seeking early diagnosis and treatment for flu symptoms in large numbers. Quidel's earnings this year will be huge, and likely be sustainable as an annual phenomenon. This is because patients and caregivers are now accustomed to employing a "test and treat" approach for influenza symptoms, a behavior that will be repeated in the years to come.