screening for flu

Overview

Flu (short for influenza) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. It affects your nose, throat, and sometimes your lungs. Flu screening, or testing, checks whether you have the flu virus when you have symptoms. It can help your doctor decide if you need treatment and whether to test for other illnesses like COVID-19.

Yes. Flu is a very common illness, especially during the autumn and winter months. In many countries, millions of people get flu every year.

Anyone can get flu, but young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with long-term health conditions are more likely to become seriously ill.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches and headaches
• Fatigue and weakness

Symptoms in children

• High fever
• Fussiness or drowsiness
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Less appetite and drinking less than usual

Symptoms in older adults

• Weakness and confusion (sometimes without fever)
• A lower fever than younger adults
• Worsening of chronic conditions like heart failure or COPD
• Dizziness or loss of balance

Causes

Main causes

• Influenza viruses (type A and type B) that spread from person to person through coughs, sneezes, or talking.
• Touching surfaces with the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Risk factors

• Being under age 5 or over age 65
• Having asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system
• Being pregnant or recently gave birth
• Living in crowded places such as care homes or dormitories

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you are at high risk for complications and have flu symptoms
• If you feel very unwell, have trouble breathing, or develop chest pain
• If a child has a high fever, seems confused, or is not drinking enough

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you want a flu test to confirm whether you have flu
• If you are eligible for antiviral treatment and want to start it early

Diagnosis

Doctors often diagnose flu by asking about your symptoms and doing a physical exam. If they need proof, they can do a swab test from your nose or throat.

Tests that may be done

• Rapid influenza test – a swab from the nose or throat, with results in about 15 minutes
• PCR test – a more sensitive swab test, sent to a lab, with results in a day or two
• Clinical diagnosis – based on symptoms and season, without testing

What to expect at your appointment

The swab is quick but may cause a mild tickle or discomfort. You can breathe normally during the test. Most people find it over within seconds.

Treatment

Most flu cases are treated at home with rest and fluids. For people at high risk, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medicines. These work best when started within 48 hours of symptoms.

Self-care at home

• Rest in bed and get plenty of sleep
• Drink water, clear soups, or oral rehydration fluids
• Use over-the-counter pain and fever medicine – ask your pharmacist what is right for you
• Stay home to avoid spreading the virus

Medical treatments

Antiviral medicines can shorten the flu and reduce complications. They are usually prescribed for people at higher risk or those who are very ill. Antibiotics do not kill the flu virus and are not effective unless a bacterial infection also develops.

Living with this condition

While you have flu, stay home from work, school, and public places. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and keep yourself warm. You can usually return to normal activities once your fever has gone and you feel better.

Lifestyle tips

• Wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing
• Use a tissue or your elbow to cover coughs and sneezes
• Keep your distance from others until you are better

Diet and exercise

Eat light, easy-to-digest foods like soup, toast, and fruit. Do not push yourself to exercise while you are ill. Rest is more important. Once you recover, ease back into exercise gradually.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Feeling ill can make you feel low, anxious, or frustrated. It may also worry you about infecting others. Remember that flu is temporary. Stay connected by phone or video calls with people who support you.

Prevention

Yes, you can lower your risk of getting or spreading flu by getting vaccinated each year, washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with sick people, and staying home when you are unwell.

Vaccines

An annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six months and older. It is especially important for people at high risk. The vaccine does not cause flu and reduces your chance of severe illness.

Screening programmes

Routine flu screening for healthy people is not recommended. Testing is most useful when you have flu-like symptoms and you are at high risk, or when the result will guide treatment and infection control decisions.

Complications

If left untreated

• Pneumonia (infection in the lungs)
• Worsening of asthma, heart disease, or diabetes
• Ear infections and sinus infections, especially in children
• Rarely, inflammation of the brain or heart

Long-term outlook

Most people feel better within one to two weeks. Even though flu can be miserable, the outlook is very good with rest and fluids. For people at higher risk, early medical care and treatment can help prevent serious problems.

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