Influenza (Seasonal Flu) - Exams and Tests
Doctors can diagnose influenza (flu) using your symptoms alone if many cases of a similar illness have occurred in the community and if the local health department has confirmed a flu outbreak.
Tests to confirm you have the flu and to determine the type of virus may be important if:
It’s that time of year again. Time for school bells, falling leaves, icy snow -- and the flu. With fall and winter comes flu season, so it’s time to think about how to protect yourself and your family. What flu medications do you need to stave off the fever and body aches? What can help you manage the symptoms? The most important tool to protect yourself from the flu, in fact, is not antiviral flu medications -- although these can be very important -- but an annual flu vaccine. Unlike in past...
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- The results may affect treatment decisions. During a confirmed flu outbreak, however, testing may not be needed even if treatment with an antiviral medicine is being considered.
- In addition to flu-like symptoms, you have any unusual symptoms that suggest another condition.
- Health authorities have not identified any other cases of flu in your area.
Testing may involve blood tests (rarely used) or a culture to identify the virus. Some cultures take 24 to 48 hours for results, so they will not help your doctor decide whether to prescribe an antiviral medicine. A rapid flu test is now available that gives results in 30 minutes. Although this test is not 100% accurate, it can be useful when deciding whether to use an antiviral medicine.
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