Do you have the flu? Let's find out exactly about this test (Influenza Test)

These days, we hear stories of fever, colds, and body aches everywhere, right? Do you also have a fever with a feeling of weakness, a heavy head, and a feeling of being sick? You may not be able to tell if this is a common cold or a mild case of "flu". Especially during a flu pandemic, your doctor may assume that it is the flu just by listening to your symptoms. But sometimes, the doctor may say, "Let's do a test." So, today we will talk about what this flu test is, why it is done, and what it detects.

Why is it important to get a flu test?

You may be wondering, "What test is there for a fever?" But there is great value in doing this test. There are two main reasons for that.

1. You can start the right medication as soon as possible

Simply put, the flu virus is a cunning enemy that can infiltrate our body's cells and spread very quickly. There is a special type of medicine used against this enemy, which we call antiviral drugs .

Think of it like a thief who has come to make a home inside your body. If we give this antiviral medicine within the first 48 hours, we can kick the thief out before he can make a home and settle in. Then your symptoms will subside quickly, and the duration of your illness may be reduced by about a day.

But after two days, that is, 48 ​​hours, this thief has settled well in the body and has already bred its offspring. After that, you can't expect much result from giving this medicine. So, if you identify the disease quickly with a flu test, you can start treatment without wasting these precious 48 hours.

2. You can stop taking antibiotics unnecessarily.

This is a big mistake that many people in our country make. When they get a fever or a cold, they unknowingly go to the pharmacy and ask for antibiotics.

Remember: Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria . But the flu is caused by a virus . These are two completely different groups of organisms. Just as a mosquito repellent won't kill cockroaches, a bacteria repellent won't kill viruses.

What happens if you take antibiotics unnecessarily when you have the flu:

• Your illness will not be cured.
• You're wasting your money.
• Also, the good bacteria in the body are destroyed, which can lead to antibiotic resistance in the future.

So, when a flu test confirms that it's a viral infection, the doctor won't give you antibiotics unnecessarily.

How is this test done? Does it hurt?

Not at all. This is a very simple, painless test. The doctor or nurse uses a device that looks like a cotton swab with a long stick.

• Nasal Swab: This long swab is inserted into one of your nostrils and gently rubbed against the back wall of your nose. It may feel a little stinging and watery, but it only lasts a few seconds.
• Throat Swab: You will be asked to open your mouth and a swab will be placed on the back of your throat (around the tonsils).

The swab stained with mucus or cells obtained in this way is carefully placed in a special tube and sent for testing.

How long does it take for the results to come?

This varies depending on the testing method.

The fastest test currently available is the "Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test" (RIDT) . This can be done in the doctor's office (Office Lab). If done that way, the results can be known within a short period of time, about 15-20 minutes .

Sometimes, if the sample is sent to a more accurate and sensitive test, such as a PCR test , it can take a few hours or a day for the results to come back. But in general, the rapid test is the one most often used to confirm the flu.

Are all tests the same?

No. The quality and accuracy of the test depends on several factors. For example, the company that made the test kit, the technology used, and how the doctor takes the sample can affect this. Sometimes, even if you have the virus, the test result may not be "Negative" if the sample does not contain enough virus.

Fever, Flu, Influenza, Flu Test, Virus, Symptoms, Treatment