According to the Mayo Clinic's website, influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, lungs and bronchial tubes. It is characterized by high fever, headache, chest discomfort, fatigue and weakness. Tests for the flu virus can diagnose whether a person suffers from type A, B or C flu symptoms. Normally, Type A produces severe symptoms while the other types commonly display more mild flu signs. Testing determines a patient's course of treatment.
Step 1
Consult a doctor. Discuss your flu-like symptoms and tell him when you started to feel sick. Usually, the physician will schedule an appointment or send the patient for immediate testing to determine the best treatment course to follow.
Step 2
Discuss test options. Doctors use different types of tests such as throat swabs or nasal aspirate to test for influenza. The availability of certain tests depends on the kind the physician uses. Nasal aspirates, or nasal washes, are considered more accurate, but nasal swabs are commonly used. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, website says nasal swabs and washes are the preferred methods for influenza testing.
Step 3
Get the test done. The procedure for the nasal swab test involves the doctor inserting a swab into one of the nostrils to retrieve a fluid sample. The doctor inserts a saline solution into the nose and removes it with a nasal aspirator when conducting a nasal wash test. After completing the procedures, the sample is sent to a lab for testing.
Step 4
Wait for test results. Some tests yield results within 30 minutes, while some take 24 to 48 hours. Depending on your test results, the doctor will determine the course of treatment or if more testing is required.
