Flu tests can be used in conjunction with a doctor's examination to determine whether you have the influenza. They are more likely to be administered if there is some sort of an outbreak that doctors are trying to get a handle on. The viral infection attacks your respiratory system, affecting you lungs, throat, nose and bronchial tubes.
Instructions
1. Recognize influenza symptoms. Common signs include a fever over 101 F in adults, congestion, headache, chills and sweats, fatigue, cough and loss of appetite.
2. See your doctor if you have symptoms and are at risk of getting complications. This includes children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
3. Get a nasal or throat swab or a nasal wash done as part of the influenza test. Doctors use different types of tests, so it depends on the kind your doctor uses.
4. Get results quickly. Some tests will give doctors results within 30 minutes. Others will go to a lab and be examined, with results taking about 24 hours.
5. Know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, false positives are more likely to occur when the incidences of flu are low, such as at the beginning and end of the season. False-negatives are more likely at the peak of flu season.
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