{"id":40480,"date":"2021-09-15T09:00:38","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T13:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=40480"},"modified":"2024-05-28T09:46:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T13:46:40","slug":"flu-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-test\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does a flu test take\u2014and can you trust the results?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your head hurts. Your muscles ache. You want to climb into bed and pull the covers over your head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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When this unwelcome visitor known as influenza makes its appearance\u2014as it does for 3 million people each year\u2014it\u2019s important to know what to do (and when). <\/span>Early treatment<\/span><\/a> with antiviral medication makes it less likely you\u2019ll experience complications, such as hospitalization. Before treating you for the flu, though, your healthcare provider may use a rapid influenza test to determine whether your illness is caused by influenza. Many other viral illnesses can cause flu-like symptoms and the antiviral medications for influenza do not work on other infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

A flu test is quick and easy: It takes only a minute in the doctor\u2019s office to collect a sample and 15 to 30 minutes to get a result. While the test doesn\u2019t detect every case of the flu, it is reliable when it tells you that you have the virus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the flu?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses that routinely spreads through the U.S. during the winter months. <\/span>Frequent symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, congestion, chills, and a runny or stuffy nose. While this respiratory infection can be mild for many, it is serious and even life-threatening for some. Those most at risk for severe complications are young children, older adults, pregnant women, those with chronic health conditions, or those with weakened immune systems. Many people diagnose themselves with the flu and manage the illness at home with over-the-counter pain relievers. However, getting a flu test and a prescription antiviral medication can reduce the severity and length of your symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a test for the flu?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes! You should get a flu test as soon as possible, preferably within four days after first experiencing symptoms. It\u2019s important to get a flu test because <\/span>detection of influenza virus can reduce unnecessary laboratory testing for other infections and stop inappropriate antibiotic use. It will also encourage the effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures and increase the appropriate use of antiviral medications<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several tests can detect the influenza virus, but only two are recommended by the <\/span>Infectious Diseases Society of America<\/span><\/a> (IDSA) for use in non-hospitalized people:<\/span><\/p>\n