Flu Tests — Are They Needed to Diagnose and Treat the Flu?
Feeling under the weather? Not sure if it’s just the common cold or a more serious condition like the flu? PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Glastonbury, Connecticut, is open 365 days per year and our experienced medical providers can promptly evaluate your symptoms to diagnose your condition. In the majority of cases, a flu test is not needed before treating the flu. It’s more important to see a medical care provider within 48 hours of feeling flu-like symptoms, which is the window of time that antiviral drugs are most effective. The provider you see at PhysicianOne Urgent Care will develop a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at easing your symptoms and helping you get back on your feet.
What Is a Rapid Flu Test?
While not always necessary or accurate at diagnosing the flu, rapid flu tests are recommended when a patient is showing symptoms of the flu and the provider wants to rule out any other health conditions, like a respiratory infection. A sample is obtained by swabbing the inside of the patient’s nose or the back of his or her throat. At PhysicianOne Urgent Care, we have an on-site clinical lab and can have the results of your flu test in about 15 minutes.
How Is the Flu Treated?
We encourage our patients to visit our facility when they first start to feel ill because starting an antiviral drug regimen as soon as possible will help to lessen the severity of their symptoms and may even reduce the flu’s timeframe by a few days. Patients who have been sick for several days can still take antiviral medication but an at-home approach is often more beneficial. This includes:
- Resting
- Drinking fluids
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers
- Using decongestants
Check In Online
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and want to receive a diagnosis, visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Glastonbury for prompt medical attention. You will be seen by an experienced medical provider who will offer individualized, compassionate care, which might include a flu test. To expedite your visit, feel free to check in online.
