Think You Have the Flu? You Might Not Need a Flu Test to Receive Treatment

Have you been experiencing fever, chills, muscle aches, congestion, a sore throat, and fatigue? If so, you’ll want to visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care within 48 hours after you began experiencing these symptoms to find out if you have influenza, also known as the flu. Receiving treatment within this 48-hour window is important because that’s the time when antiviral drugs are most effective.
The good news is, you likely won’t require a flu test to receive the flu treatment you need. Not everyone needs a flu test, although in some cases, it’s necessary to confirm a diagnosis. We’ve been serving patients since 2008, and we’re pleased to offer rapid flu tests as necessary to help residents of Norwalk, Connecticut, get the treatment they need as quickly as possible.

What Is a Rapid Flu Test?

During a rapid flu test, we’ll rub a cotton swab inside your nose or along the back of your throat. You might experience a brief tickling sensation. Once we’ve collected a mucus sample, we’ll place the swab into a sealed packet and then test it for the influenza virus. Because we’re able to perform flu tests on site, we can usually provide the results within about 15 to 20 minutes.
If our examination and/or your flu test indicates that you have the flu, we’ll recommend a course of treatment suited to your specific needs. This may include an antiviral medication like Tamiflu. The effectiveness of this medication will depend on how soon you begin taking it. It can shorten your illness by about a day if you start taking it within 48 hours after you begin experiencing symptoms, so it’s important to seek treatment as quickly as possible once you start feeling ill.
If we determine that you don’t have the flu, we can start exploring other alternatives. Some bacterial infections can produce flu-like symptoms, and we may be able to treat those illnesses with antibiotics.

Visit Our Norwalk Urgent Care Center

If you think you might have the flu, stop by PhysicianOne Urgent Care’s Norwalk location. You’ll find us at 346 Main Avenue, in the old Hour Building. We’re open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. We don’t require appointments, but if you’d like to expedite your visit, you can reserve your spot in line using our online check-in system.