How Do You Test for the Flu?

How do you test for the flu? It may be easier than you think. In the past, one of the only ways to test for the flu was to go to the doctor, have a sample taken, and wait for the results to come back from a lab, which could take several days. Today, there are rapid flu tests available that provide a test result in 10 minutes or less. The QuickVue® Influenza A+B Test is sold to doctors throughout the world to assist them in the diagnosis of influenza.

How Do You Test for the Flu? QuickVue Influenza A+B Flu Test
The QuickVue Influenza A+B Test is easy to administer by a physician. To perform the test, the doctor takes a swab sample from the nose of the patient. The sample is then extracted in a tube with a solution. In 10 minutes or less, the results show if the sample is A+, B+, or Negative. ¹

The QuickVue Influenza A+B Test helps physicians diagnose flu. It may also help reduce the need for additional testing by a doctor. It is important to test for the flu within the first 48 hours of flu like symptoms developing. According to the CDC, common flu like symptoms may include:

Fever
Headaches
Exhaustion
Sore Throat
Runny Nose
Body Aches
Loss of Appetite
Diarrhea and Vomiting (mainly in children)

When these symptoms start to manifest, it is important to get to the doctor to get a QuickVue test for the flu. If you are diagnosed with flu, your doctor may choose to prescribe an antiviral medication, such as Tamiflu, to help reduce the length of the flu symptoms and illness. You may also be advised to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to help your body fight off the virus.²

How Do You Test for the Flu? How Long Will the Flu Last?
Typically, the flu lasts between 7 - 14 days in healthy individuals. People at high risk to get the flu, including pregnant women, children under 5 years old, people over 50 years old, people with any type of chronic health conditions, and people living in assisted living or nursing homes, may experience a longer duration of the flu. Furthermore, people at high risk may experience complications with the flu which could potentially be fatal. Therefore, it is important that people at high risk contact a doctor immediately if they start to feel flu symptoms.

Every year, thousands of people are tested for the flu. According to the CDC, about 5 to 20% of the population gets the flu annually. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. Approximately 36,000 people die each year from the flu in the U.S. alone.

The Flu or the Common Cold?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. The virus is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing or speaking of people infected with the virus. Flu can also be spread when a person touches a surface that has viruses on it. The flu virus symptoms are very similar to those of the common cold. Typically, however, the flu symptoms tend to be more intense than those of the common cold. To help determine whether or not you have the flu or the common cold, it is recommended that you go to the doctor and get a QuickVue® Influenza A+B Test for the flu. The QuickVue Influenza A+B Test is an accurate way to help diagnose the flu and can enable your physician to recommend an approproiate treatment plan for you. ³

¹http://www.flutest.com/rapid-flu-test/

²http://www.flutest.com/flu-facts/flu-symptoms.htm

³http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm