Receive a Flu Test (if You Need One) & Appropriate Treatment in West Hartford, CT
Do you have classic flu symptoms, such as fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, a stuffy nose, and a sore throat? Come to PhysicianOne Urgent Care in West Hartford, Connecticut. We can get to the bottom of your illness, which is most likely influenza—especially if you’ve fallen ill during one of the colder months of the year when flu viruses are running rampant. Will we give you a flu test? Not necessarily. Most people who have flu symptoms are not tested because their flu test results would not change how they are treated.
How Is Flu Treated?
In most cases, flu treatment involves nothing more than resting at home for a few days (influenza viruses are contagious) and drinking plenty of fluids. But, if you have a severe infection or are at high risk for flu complications, we may prescribe an antiviral medication to help you feel better. When started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, the antiviral drugs used to treat flu can reduce its duration by one to two days and also help prevent complications, such as pneumonia.
When Is a Rapid Flu Test Needed?
When you come to PhysicianOne Urgent Care with flu-like symptoms, your provider may diagnose you with influenza based on your symptoms alone. But, we may suggest a rapid flu test if the result could provide information that would help us make treatment decisions.
For example, if you come in on the first day you start feeling unwell and you had close contact with someone who was recently diagnosed with influenza, we may suggest a rapid flu test because you could potentially benefit from antiviral medication. On the other hand, if you’ve been feeling ill for longer than 48 hours, we would probably not suggest a rapid flu test because it is unlikely that an antiviral medication would reduce the severity or duration of your symptoms.
When it comes to influenza, prompt action is the key to feeling better fast. If you think you might have the flu, stop by PhysicianOne Urgent Care in West Hartford as soon as you can.
