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PRIMARY CARE SERVICES

Diagnosis & Treatment

Influenza (Flu)

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How is the Flu Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

Woman blowing nose and checking body temperature

In order to diagnose the flu, your doctor will conduct a physical exam. They may use one or more of the following tests to confirm whether you have the flu.

  • RIDTs - Also known as rapid influenza diagnostic tests, these can detect the presence of influenza in respiratory specimens. Several RIDTs are commercially available in the United States and can provide results in a very short time frame. However, they are not as accurate as RT-PCR tests, and false positives and negatives are known to occur.
  • RT-PCR (or Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) – These tests identify genetic material specific to the influenza virus to determine a positive or negative test result. They are highly efficient and can deliver rapid results to patients.
  • Rapid molecular assays - These tests are designed to detect influenza virus nucleic acids that may be present in the upper respiratory system. They are able to deliver rapid results (15-30 minutes) with high sensitivity and specificity.
  • Viral culture - This test involves the collection of respiratory samples for laboratory analysis. These tests take longer to deliver results, often several days, and can help determine specific antigenic and genetic characteristics of the virus.
  • Immunofluorescence assays - This test involves using antibodies and fluorescent dyes on a collected sample to allow for the detection of the influenza virus in order to determine a diagnosis.

How can a primary care doctor help?

A primary care doctor  can help address your symptoms and discuss any additional treatment you may need. Individuals with severe cases or who are at high risk of experiencing flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, sinus infections, or bronchitis,  should see a doctor to determine the best course of treatment and whether referral to a specialist is needed.

How is the Flu Treated?

Treatments

Most cases of the flu can be treated at home with rest, drinking fluids, eating light and taking fever-reducing medications. If symptoms are severe, or you are at risk of developing complications due to a flu infection, consult your doctor. Common treatments include:

Medications (Antivirals)

Your doctor may recommend antiviral medications as a treatment for the flu. These drugs work best when started early, within one or two days after the onset of flu symptoms. These can include Relenza, Tamiflu, Rapivap, or Xofluza. These medications can help prevent severe complications and shorten your illness.

Home Remedies

Home remedies are often all that is needed to treat and recover from the flu. Care at home may include proper hydration, staying home, avoiding contact with people, monitoring your symptoms, and consulting your primary doctor if you have risk factors for complications or severe symptoms.

FAQs

FAQs

The flu typically lasts about a week, though some people feel lingering symptoms like cough and fatigue for a few days or more. In certain high-risk people, the flu can lead to more serious medical conditions, like pneumonia, that will last even longer.

In adults who are otherwise healthy, the flu can spread one day before the person starts feeling symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. The flu virus is most contagious in the first three to four days of being sick. Most people remain contagious for about one week after becoming sick, but children and people with compromised immune systems may remain contagious for longer.

In the United States, flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter. Most of the time, Flu season peaks between December and February, but flu virus activity can be observed in the few months before and after that (October to May), depending on the year. Flu can still infect people outside of those months, so it is important to get tested if you are experiencing symptoms so that you can begin treatment.

The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide, anywhere between 290,000 and 650,000 people die of the flu and flu-related causes yearly. The CDC estimates that in the U.S., the number of deaths from 2010 - 2020 ranges from 12,000 and 52,000 annually.

The first flu vaccine, offering protection against influenza A and influenza B viruses, was produced in 1942.

Side effects of the flu vaccine are usually mild and can include redness and/or swelling at the injection site, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. When these side effects occur, they will typically disappear after a few days.

Get Care

Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Flu Treatment

NewYork-Presbyterian and our medical group locations can offer care, treatment, and diagnostic services for people with the flu and flu-like symptoms. NewYork-Presbyterian offers same-day appointments for critical needs, easy scheduling with early, late, and weekend hours, accepts most insurances, and can provide referrals to on-site specialists.

Our easy-to-use patient portal allows for scheduling, managing appointments, and all other information needed to connect you to one of our healthcare specialists.

Make an appointment or virtual urgent care visit with NewYork-Presbyterian to learn more about our treatments and services.