Do You Need a Flu Test to Diagnose the Flu?

If you’ve been feeling under the weather, experiencing symptoms like fever, chills, coughing, body aches, and fatigue, you might wonder if you have the flu. If so, you can visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Bristol, Connecticut, for diagnosis and treatment. For some patients, a rapid flu test may be given. While our experienced practitioners can often diagnose the flu based on symptoms alone—especially if it’s the height of flu season—they may sometimes administer a flu test to rule out any other health conditions.

What Is a Rapid Flu Test?

During a rapid flu test, a practitioner will use a long cotton swab and gently rub it along the back of your throat or inside your nose. The swab will then be sealed into a packet and sent to our on-site lab for immediate testing. Generally, we can have the results of this flu test within 15 minutes for your convenience.

Treating the Flu

Being able to rule out other health conditions—such as strep throat—will help our practitioners prescribe the correct treatment regimen for your illness. For example, while antibiotics will help to ease the symptoms of strep throat, they are not the right medication for treating the flu. That’s because the flu is a viral infection that requires antiviral drugs.

What’s more, early diagnosis is key in treating the flu. Antiviral drugs are most effective if taken within the first 48 hours of symptom onset, helping to ease your discomfort and the duration of your illness.

Learn More

If you are feeling under the weather and would like to get your symptoms checked by an experienced practitioner, visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Bristol today. We can diagnose your condition, which may include a flu test, and provide a comprehensive treatment plan.