How Is Influenza Diagnosed?

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Dr. David Hill, and today, we're going to talk about how influenza is diagnosed. Now, influenza is a viral illness. It's most common in the late winter and early spring, but it can really occur all year around so you never stop thinking about it. Unfortunately, influenza shares lots of symptoms with other viral illnesses, so you can't tell by the symptoms alone that somebody has influenza. Things that are typical of influenza that are a little less common are high fevers, often over 102, body aches, particularly muscle aches, vomiting is very common, as well as the usual viral symptoms of couch, runny nose, stuffy nose and just feeling tired or fatigued. If you get symptoms that you think might be influenza, you're going to have to see a doctor to have it tested. Especially during the flu season, many doctors and urgent care centers have on-site flu testing. It usually takes about 15 minutes, and the most common test involve taking a little Q-tip, sticking it down the nose, and pulling out some mucus to run the test on. Many tests can tell you whether you have influenza type A or type B, and in some flu seasons, that makes a difference in what medication might help you fight the illness. If you're worried you might have the flu, it is important that you get tested within the first 48 hours of the illness. There are medicines that are very effective in fighting influenza when it's diagnosed in time. However, if those medications are not given in the first 48 hours, it's really too late to see any benefit. So go early rather than 5 days into the illness. Remember also that the fever from a flu should last 3 days, at most 4. If you're getting a fever 4 or 5 days out, even if you know you had influenza, don't assume it's just the influenza. There may be an ear infection, sinusitis, or pneumonia, all common bacterial complications of this viral illness. So remember, flu looks a lot like other viral illnesses but may come with more vomiting, higher fever, and more muscle aches. Get diagnosed in the first 48 hours and remember that most doctors' offices and urgent care centers during the flu season will have everything they need to test you for flu and let you know whether or not you might benefit from appropriate medication. Talking about how to test for influenza, I'm Dr. David Hill."