Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses that routinely spreads through the U. 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. You should get a flu test as soon as possible, preferably within four days after first experiencing symptoms. It will also encourage the effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures and increase the appropriate use of antiviral medications.
Several tests can detect the influenza virus, but only two are recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America IDSA for use in non-hospitalized people:. Since flu-like symptoms are similar to those of COVID, your physician may test for both during the ongoing pandemic.
For both types of rapid flu test, your healthcare provider may use a nasal swab to wipe the inside of your nose or throat swab on the back of your throat. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N. Accessed July 13, Zachary KC. Treatment of seasonal influenza in adults. Goldman L, et al. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Bope ET, et al. The infectious diseases.
In: Conn's Current Therapy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu: What to do if you get sick. Accessed July 28, Generally speaking, if your flu test is positive, you have the flu. The person performing your flu test also may not have collected enough material to accurately detect the flu.
According to the American Association of Clinical Chemistry , rapid antigen tests are about 50 to 70 percent accurate, although the Food and Drug Administration FDA has required more recent tests to make changes to improve their results. Molecular tests are anywhere from 66 to percent accurate.
The results and accuracy depend upon what test type you use. Rapid flu tests are usually less costly than laboratory-based tests. Flu tests can provide rapid results that are becoming increasingly more accurate. Doctors may select tests based on availability and accuracy. As a result, a doctor may treat your symptoms as if you have the flu, even when your test is negative.
It's not always easy to determine if you have a cold or the flu, but knowing the differences helps treatment work more quickly. A healthcare provider also may inject a saline salt solution into your nose and then use a suction device to remove the solution.
A number of respiratory infections have similar symptoms as the flu, chief among them the common cold and Covid Symptoms of the flu tend to come on more quickly than those of the other illnesses, but otherwise the main differences are the severity of symptoms and the likelihood of complications. If you're otherwise healthy, you may be able to infect other people with the flu for up to five to seven days after you notice symptoms. Children and people with a weakened immune system may be contagious for longer.
Note that people are most contagious during the first three or four days after they become infected with the influenza virus, so they may be contagious before they know they're sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that you can return to work, school, and other activities after having the flu if:. Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Flu Symptoms and Complications. Updated September 18, Indian J Med Microbiol. Are rapid influenza antigen tests still clinically useful in today's molecular diagnostics world? Hawaii J Med Public Health. Current approaches for diagnosis of influenza virus infections in humans. Flu Influenza test. Updated July 31, Similarities and Differences between Flu and Covid June 7 How flu spreads.
Updated Aug 27,
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