Ross River virus infection. Diagnosis and treatment by general practitioners in South Australia

To determine the signs and symptoms used by general practitioners to diagnose Ross River virus (RRV) infection, to assess investigation and treatment patterns and to test differences between GPs, grouped by demographic characteristics.

A postal questionnaire was sent to 264 GPs who had submitted serological specimens that proved to be positive for RRV to laboratories in Adelaide during the period October 1992 to August 1993.

One hundred and seventy-four questionnaires were returned. Most had diagnosed between two and five cases of RRV infection (64.7%), although 20.7% of rural practitioners had diagnosed six or more cases. The symptom of 'pain in the joints' was ranked as the most important for suspecting RRV infection with joint effusion, rash and pyrexia ranked as important signs. Ninety-six per cent of GPs reported that they always performed RRV serology on patients with these symptoms. The most frequently cited treatments were rest (93.4%) and prescription of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (68.5%). There were no clinically significant differences between GPs, grouped by demographic characteristics, in their approach to the diagnosis or treatment of RRV infection.

GPs in South Australia use similar groups of symptoms and signs to diagnose RRV infection. Most always used serology to confirm their clinical diagnosis and a large proportion performed blood tests that could establish alternative diagnoses.