Luxor Nursing and Rehab at Mills Pond on When to Get Tested for the Flu

Flu season is upon us, and with the new year approaching, we will be in the peak of the season for the next couple months. You still have time to get your flu vaccine, but you should do so quickly because it takes around two weeks for the antibodies to work their way through your system to become effective.

Even if you get the vaccine, you can still get the flu (but in many cases, its symptoms aren’t as severe with the vaccine). Alternatively, you may feel run down, but it may be a common cold.

Luxor Nursing and Rehab at Mills Pond would like to discuss when you should see a doctor and what tests and treatments are available.

When to See a Doctor With Flu Symptoms

If symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue last for two days, it’s recommended that you see your doctor to be tested for the flu. Sometimes, however, flu symptoms will come on quickly, and in that case, you should see your doctor as soon as you can.

How Will the Doctor Know I Have the Flu?

There are several different ways to confirm a flu diagnosis. Some are quicker and less reliable, while others take time but deliver an accurate diagnosis.

• Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test (RIDT): This test can have results come back in just 15 minutes after applying a cotton swab to the nose or throat.

• Rapid Molecular Assays: This is also a swab that takes around 20 minutes to get results from.

• Immunofluorescence: This is a test that’s done via microscope and takes around two hours to get back. It’s usually done to confirm the results of a rapid test.

If you are diagnosed with the flu, there are a number of treatments (including Tamiflu) that can be used by you and your family to lessen the symptoms and decrease the amount of time that you will be sick.

To learn more about Luxor Nursing and Rehab at Mills Pond and all of the services they offer, visit http://www.millspondluxor.com/.