Mission: To save lives and reduce hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza.
Insights on Influenza
  • Flu Prevention

From Testing to Treatment: Why Flu Testing is Essential

woman blowing nose
Posted on November 21, 2022
Share this article:

How many times have you heard someone say, “oh, it’s probably just the flu” after feeling sick? The truth is, the flu is an incredibly serious illness that causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths each year in the U.S. alone. In fact, young and even healthy individuals can have serious complications from the flu. It is one of the deadliest vaccine-preventable diseases in our country.

The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract and needs to be diagnosed and treated quickly. Testing for the flu is simple and quick and should be done at the first sign of symptoms. If you are positive for flu and have been around people at high risk of flu complications, it is necessary to inform them of possible exposure because, if they get sick, they know to seek out testing and treatment immediately.

According to the CDC, flu symptoms can range from fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and/or fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children. You can also experience respiratory symptoms without a fever. Flu symptoms can look like many other illnesses and testing is the only way to know for certain. Because these symptoms can vary widely from person to person, the best line of defense (after being vaccinated, of course), is to get tested.

When you first start to feel symptoms, call your healthcare provider and ask to be tested for the flu. There are many types of flu tests with the most common being a rapid diagnostic test. After a quick nasal or throat swab, you will get results in about 10 minutes. There are other types of tests, too, but you can determine the best type for you with your provider during your visit.

If you test positive for the flu, you can discuss potential flu treatments such as antiviral medications if prescribed. Antiviral medications help prevent the risk of flu complications – including hospitalization and death. Please remember to avoid close contact with other people and stay home if you can. If you need to leave your home or be in contact with others, wear a mask to prevent the spread of disease.

If you test negative (but are still symptomatic), consider other tests to rule out other serious illnesses, and talk to your doctor about how to treat your symptoms. Advocating for your health is essential to stay safe this flu season.

For more information and resources, visit the CDC’s website at the links below:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/testing.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/overview-testing-methods.htm

 

 

You might also be interested in...

Test and Treat to Protect Grandparents
5 Tips for Flu Prevention at the Workplace
Why Vaccinating Kids Matters for Their Health and the Community
Stay Informed
Sign up for our Weekly Flu News and quarterly newsletter, Fighting Influenza, to stay up-to-date on the latest flu news.
Newsletter

LOGO LICENSE AGREEMENT

You are required to accept all of the terms and conditions in this License Agreement in order to receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FAMILIES FIGHTING FLU, INC. logo, displayed below (the “FFF Logo”), from Families Fighting Flu, Inc. (“FFF”). In order to accept these terms and conditions, you must click the “I Accept” button below.

  1. FFF hereby grants to you, and you accept, a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FFF Logo, which you may download and use solely in online and print earned media publications for a period of no more than six (6) months in the United States.
  2. You acknowledge that the FFF Logo is a valid trademark; that FFF is the sole owner of the FFF Logo; and that FFF retains all right, title, and interest in and to the FFF Logo. You agree that any and all use that you make of the FFF Logo, and any and all goodwill arising from your use of the FFF Logo, shall inure exclusively to the benefit of FFF.  You also agree that you shall not challenge the validity of the FFF Logo or FFF’s ownership or title thereto during the term of the License Agreement or thereafter.
  3. You agree that you shall use the FFF Logo only in the form shown above, and that you shall not alter, modify, change, or edit the FFF Logo in any manner.
  4. You acknowledge the valuable goodwill and reputation in the FFF Logo, and that it is essential that the high standards and reputation associated with the FFF Logo be maintained. You therefore agree to use the FFF Logo consistent with the highest standards of quality so as to protect and maintain the FFF Logo and FFF’s rights therein.
  5. FFF shall have the right to review and inspect your use of the FFF Logo at any time. FFF, in its sole discretion, may determine that you are not using the FFF Logo in an acceptable manner and require that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo.  To the extent that FFF requires that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo, you agree that you shall remove the FFF Logo from all online and print earned media publications as soon as practicable under the circumstances, and that you shall not use the FFF at any time in the future.
  6. You must include the following notice in connection with any use of the FFF Logo: “The Families Fighting Flu, Inc. logo is the registered trademark of Families Fighting Flu, Inc.”
I Accept