Flu season is here, and one of the most common questions we hear is pretty simple: Do I actually need a flu test? Sometimes it is easy to assume you have the flu based on how you feel, but flu symptoms can look a lot like other respiratory illnesses. Testing can give your provider more information about what may be causing your symptoms and help guide the conversation about what to do next. We asked Nathan Kiskila, MD, President of Marque Urgent Care, to answer some common questions about flu testing, symptoms, and when it might be time to come in.
Question: When should I actually get tested for the flu?
Dr. Kiskila: If you suddenly develop symptoms like fever, chills, body aches, cough, headache, or significant fatigue, it is worth considering a flu test, especially when we know flu is circulating in the community. One thing people often notice with the flu is how quickly it can hit. You may feel relatively normal in the morning and feel pretty miserable by that evening. Testing can help us determine if influenza is likely causing your symptoms and give us more information to decide what, if any, treatment makes sense for you.
Question: How soon after symptoms start should I come in?
Dr. Kiskila: Earlier is generally better, particularly if your symptoms are significant or you are at higher risk for complications. There are prescription antiviral medications that may be recommended for certain patients with influenza. These medications tend to provide the most benefit when started early, ideally within the first two days after symptoms begin. That does not mean you should skip getting evaluated if you have been sick for longer. We still want to see you if symptoms are concerning, getting worse, or simply are not improving.
Question: Can I tell the difference between the flu and a regular cold?
Dr. Kiskila: Sometimes, but not always. A cold often comes on more gradually and may involve a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, or a mild cough. The flu tends to hit harder and can cause fever, chills, body aches, headaches, and significant fatigue. But there is a lot of overlap. COVID, RSV, and other respiratory infections can cause similar symptoms as well. That is why testing can be helpful when the symptoms alone do not give us a clear answer.
Question: Do I need to have a fever to have the flu?
Dr. Kiskila: No. Fever is certainly common with influenza, but not everyone with the flu develops one. If you have a cough, body aches, fatigue, chills, or other flu-like symptoms, do not automatically rule out the flu just because your temperature is normal.
Question: What does a flu test actually tell you?
Dr. Kiskila: Flu testing can help us determine whether influenza A or influenza B is detected, depending on the type of test being used. People sometimes think the test will tell us the exact strain of influenza they have, but that is not typically what routine testing in a clinical setting does. The result is one piece of the puzzle. We also look at your symptoms, how long you have been sick, your medical history, your age, and any other risk factors when deciding what we recommend next.
Question: If my flu test is positive, what happens next?
Dr. Kiskila: It depends on the patient. For some otherwise healthy people, treatment may focus on rest, fluids, symptom management, and monitoring how they are feeling. For other patients, we may recommend prescription antiviral medication. Your age, medical history, severity of symptoms, and how long you have been sick can all factor into that decision. That is why getting evaluated can be helpful. We are not just looking at the test result. We are looking at the whole patient.
Question: My child has flu symptoms. Should I get them tested?
Dr. Kiskila: If your child is showing significant flu symptoms, particularly during a time when influenza is circulating, it is a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider about whether testing is appropriate. Children can sometimes become dehydrated quickly when they are sick, especially if they have a fever, vomiting, or are not drinking normally. Parents know their kids. If your child seems unusually tired, is not drinking enough, is having trouble breathing, has symptoms that are worsening, or simply does not seem like themselves, those are all reasons to have them evaluated.
Question: If one person in my house has the flu, should everyone get tested?
Dr. Kiskila: Not necessarily. If you feel completely well, there usually is not a reason to rush out and get a flu test simply because someone else in the house tested positive. Instead, pay attention to symptoms and be extra careful about preventing the spread of germs. Wash your hands frequently, clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces, avoid sharing drinks and utensils, and give the sick person some space when possible. If other family members begin developing symptoms, that is when it may make sense to get evaluated.
Question: How long should I stay home if I have the flu?
Dr. Kiskila: Give your body time to recover and try not to expose other people while you are actively sick. A good general rule is to return to normal activities once your symptoms are improving overall and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. Even once you start feeling better, continue being thoughtful about handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping some distance from people who may be more vulnerable to illness.
Question: When is the flu more than something I should manage at home?
Dr. Kiskila: Pay attention to how you or your family member is doing, not just whether the flu test is positive. Trouble breathing, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, significant dehydration, or other severe or rapidly worsening symptoms need prompt medical attention. If symptoms seem life-threatening, call 911 or seek emergency care. For less severe symptoms that are still concerning, urgent care is a great place to be evaluated.
Question: What is the biggest thing you want people to know this flu season?
Dr. Kiskila: Do not ignore how you feel, and do not assume every cough or fever is the same thing. If you are sick, stay home when you can. Wash your hands, clean the surfaces everyone touches, and give yourself time to recover. And if flu symptoms do start, particularly if they come on quickly or you are feeling pretty lousy, getting tested and evaluated can help us figure out what is going on and what we can do to help you feel better.
Flu season is already here. Paying attention to symptoms and getting evaluated when something does not feel right can help you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
Marque Urgent Care is open seven days a week to evaluate flu symptoms, provide testing when appropriate, and help determine the right next steps for your care.
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