Tests for flu? - Page 2

suzyQ3 · ‎03-09-2010

It's an interesting question, given that we may be bombarded by both viruses. They share some symptoms but not all. I guess the wiser approach would be to test rule out Covid, since it is far more dangerous, and go from there.

~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

There is a test for the influenza virus but I have never know of it being used for the general public. Only sick people in a Doctor's office or hospital.

shoesnbags · ‎03-10-2010

@millieshops wrote:
@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.

@millieshops

It was a few years ago, so I don't remember the details. Only that I showed up at an urgent care feeling lousy and they did a flu test and told me it was not the flu. And I've talked to many people over the last several years who have said they did or didn't have the flu, based on a test given at their doctor's office.

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

Sugipine · ‎05-22-2016

Bed-side or in-office flu tests are not accurate. They often miss detecting the virus in as many as 50%. Even when someone tests positive, those results are not accurate either. Clinicians are left with decisions based on symptoms, not test results. Definitive diagnosis of the flu is done with a cell culture which takes at least a week or more to get results from that.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician_guidance_ridt.htm

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

Isn't the only reason to be tested quickly for the flu is to be prescribed Tamiflu in a timely manner?

PA Mom-mom · ‎05-27-2015

@Sugipine My son got very sick in late February 2020 and was tested for the flu and tested positive. He was miserable for 3 days and was actually offended, because he never gets sick! I couldn't believe they could actually tell it was the flu and even said it was Influenza B, or something like that. I've always wondered if it was actually Covid 19.

Sugipine · ‎05-22-2016

@tansy wrote:
Isn't the only reason to be tested quickly for the flu is to be prescribed Tamiflu in a timely manner?

Yes, exactly for that reason. Antiviral drugs are not withheld based on a negative rapid flu test and is administered based on symptoms and observance of community spread.

Rapid flu tests are done when an outbreak is suspected within public health situations such as an institution (nursing homes, hospitals) and in places like cruise ships, camps or schools. The rapid tests are used in places like that in order to determine if an outbreak has occurred.

All confirmed positive cases of flu are required to be reported to the appropriate health departments and are considered to be communicable disease and a public health threat.

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

This year if you present in an ER with symptoms that could be Covid19 or Flu, since they are nearly the same, the flu test will rule out or confirm influenza so they would proceed to treat you for Covid19 if neg. and give you Tamiflu for a positive influenza test. Or you could test positive for both so you'd be treated for both flu and Covid. The two tests will help with diagnosis and proper treatment.

Sugipine · ‎05-22-2016

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@Sugipine My son got very sick in late February 2020 and was tested for the flu and tested positive. He was miserable for 3 days and was actually offended, because he never gets sick! I couldn't believe they could actually tell it was the flu and even said it was Influenza B, or something like that. I've always wondered if it was actually Covid 19.

@PA Mom-mom

If they did a rapid test on him, some of the tests can differentiate between the two flu strains. But even those results can be misleading b/c false positives can occur. Yes, I agree, he could have been infected with the covid virus at the same time.

lovethgedress · ‎07-12-2012

I manage a microbiology lab. Most labs and hospital systems routinely offer Flu testing by PCR during flu season. The change from antigen tests to PCR occured with the last 5 or so years I'd say.

We have never offered flu by viral culture and have actually eliminated all viral culture in favor of PCR testing which is much faster and very accurrate. The one poster is correct in that flu antigen tests are very inaccurate so might as well flip a coin.

This year most labs are offering a flu covid combo pcr test. Both need to be tested so that the proper course of treatment can be determined. The testing that we use for STAT testing will produce a result in about 20 minutes.