This review aims to explore the role of professional diagnostic rapid testing of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), especially COVID-19 and influenza, ensuring proper disease management and treatment in Europe, and particularly in Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania. The paper was constructed based on a review of scientific evidence and national and international policies and recommendations, as well as a process of validation by four experts. The development of new testing technologies, treatment options, and increased awareness of the negative multidimensional impact of ARI profiles transformed differential diagnosis into a tangible and desirable reality. This review covers the following topics: (1) the multidimensional impact of ARIs, (2) ARI rapid diagnostic testing platforms and their value, (3) the policy landscape, (4) challenges and barriers to implementation, and (5) a set of recommendations illustrating a path forward. The findings indicate that rapid diagnostic testing, including at the point of care (POC), can have a positive impact on case management, antimicrobial and antibiotic stewardship, epidemiological surveillance, and decision making. Integrating this strategy will require the commitment of governments and the international and academic communities, especially as we identified room for improvement in the access and expansion of POC rapid testing in the focus countries and the inclusion of rapid testing in relevant policies.

Czech Society for Medical Microbiology Czech Medical Association of J E Purkyne 142 20 Prague Czech Republic

Department and Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology SPSK 1 Medical University of Lublin 20 081 Lublin Poland

Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Medical University of Bialystok 15 540 Białystok Poland

Department of Medical Microbiology 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University and Motol University Hospital 150 06 Prague Czech Republic

Department of Preclinical Disciplines Faculty of Medicine Titu Maiorescu University 040441 Bucharest Romania

Policy Wisdom LLC Quebradillas 00678 2705 Puerto Rico

Polish Association of Epidemiologists and Infectiologists 15 540 Białystok Poland

Romanian Society of Pneumonology 050159 Bucharest Romania

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