Tests for flu?

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

I’ve been listening to a Q & A session about Covid on my local news channel and there were several inquiries about how all the Covid testing results compare with those on flu testing.

I don’t believe I’ve ever heard about massive flu testing. Certainly never had one myself, not even the one year my flu was bad enough to send me to my doctor.. the only statistics I’ve ever seen for flu are the death numbers, not how many get it and recover

50Mickey · ‎05-21-2010

As far as massive testing for the seasonal flu no. But if you are sick and have symptoms and can get to the Dr. or urgent care there is a rapid test. This is the only definitive way to determine if you have the flu. My husband and I both came down with the flu in January of 2018. We drug ourselves to the urgent care center and got a flu test. It was done the same way with a nasal swab. Not pleasant but not unbearable. Good thing is that we got tested within 48 hours of coming down with symptoms and we were given Tamiflu. We both had flu shots in Oct. of 2017 but that year the vaccine was not as effective as in previous years. We didn't know to ask for the senior shot. We do now.

pigletsmom · ‎11-21-2011

The head of one of our hospitals was on the radio a while back and he said that early in the season they test but tend to stop basically because they know what it is. I think the testing is to see what strain it is if I'm remembering correctly.

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

I don't remember there ever being massive flu tests either.

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wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

My dd was horriby sick a few years ago--had to take her to our primary dr and she got a flu test there that turned out negative--just a really bad cold. Have never been tested for the flu but then I haven't had the flu in over 40 years or more--had the Hong Kong flu is 1968---and maybe a few mild cases that I thought were just colds--but not a flu where I was down and out for days and days---been getting a flu shots all my life---

shoesnbags · ‎03-10-2010

@millieshops

I've been tested for the flu at an Urgent Care before. In my case it was negative. The rapid flu test is very common around here, both in doctors' offices and at Urgent Care places. Edited to say, not mass testing just given to individuals.

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I had the flu in 2003. Blood samples were sent to the state health department which confirmed it was indeed the flu. If it has to be done by blood test, that may be the reason there's no mass testing.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

CrazyDaisy · ‎03-20-2010

Flu tests are given only to those who go to a doctor for treatment as a diagnostic tool.

As far as I am award the flu test has never been used in the same way as the COVID tests have been. So there is no way to know how many people actually get and recover from the flu each year

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@shoesnbags I'm assuming you had some symptoms and they wanted to know what to treat for? Is my assumption at all right?

I know they test for Covid whether we show symptoms or are asymptomatic now that there are enough tests available. I'm curious whether they test for flu the same way and I just never heard of it.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

Rapid tests for the flu virus are not accurate. They often get reported as false negatives. The only definitive test is a cell culture and those are costly and take time...like about a week. I worked in a virology lab where those tests were done.