The Flu
Alternate Names : Flu, Influenza A, Influenza B, Influenza C
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The Flu Diagnosis & Tests
The evaluation of an individual with symptoms of influenza should include a thorough physical exam and, in cases where pneumonia is suspected, a chest x-ray.
Additional blood work may be warranted during the evaluation, which may include a complete blood count, blood cultures, and sputum cultures.
The most common methods for diagnosing influenza include antigen detection tests, which are done by swabbing the nose and throat, then sending a sample to the laboratory for testing.
The results of these tests can be available rapidly, and can help decide if specific treatment is appropriate, but the diagnosis can often be made by identifying symptoms without further testing.
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