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Viral Disease Diagnosis: Methods, Challenges, and Future Directions
Viral diseases continue to pose significant global health challenges, ranging from common infections such as influenza to emerging threats like novel coronaviruses and hemorrhagic fevers. Accurate and timely diagnosis of viral infections is essential for effective patient management, outbreak control, and public health surveillance. Advances in medical science have significantly improved diagnostic capabilities, yet several challenges remain.
The diagnosis of viral diseases begins with clinical evaluation. Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, rash, or gastrointestinal distress often provide early clues, but many viral infections present with overlapping or nonspecific signs. As a result, laboratory testing plays a critical role in confirming viral etiology and differentiating between similar conditions.
One of the most widely used diagnostic methods is molecular testing, particularly polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR detects viral genetic material with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for early identification even when viral loads…