We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Kinds of Influenza Tests?

By Christina Edwards
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,738
Share

The influenza virus is responsible for the illness commonly referred to as the flu. There are a number of types of influenza tests, including rapid diagnostic tests, direct fluorescent antibody stains, and viral cultures. In recent years, home influenza test kits have also become available to the general public. Testing for influenza is often used by doctors to ensure the proper treatment, and is also often used to determine what type or subtype of influenza is affecting an area.

Flu can cause a number of symptoms, including fever, chills, sinus and respiratory problems, and nausea. Type A influenza is considered to be the most common, as well as the most dangerous. Types B and C are considered less severe.

Rapid influenza diagnostic testing is one of the more routine influenza tests. There are several types of these tests, and they can usually detect Type A and B influenza. Since these tests generally take less than a half hour to complete, they are usually done in the physician's office using a nasal swab while the patient waits. Although they provide fast results, these types of influenza tests aren't considered as accurate as other tests.

A direct fluorescent antibody stain test is a little more accurate than rapid diagnostic testing, but it requires some specialized equipment that can be a bit difficult to read. This type of test can also detect both Type A and B influenza, and it can differentiate between the two. These types of influenza tests also involve taking a nasal swab, but it may need to be sent away to a laboratory. Results from this test may take up to a day or two.

A virus culture test, although it takes the longest, is considered to be the most accurate of all influenza tests. In addition to telling the difference between Type A influenza and Type B influenza, it can also identify specific strains, such as avian flu. To perform this test, a nasal swab is needed, and used to grow a culture in a laboratory. This often takes several days, but within a week to ten days, the type and strain of flu is usually easily identified. A virus culture is typically the most costly, and it is often done to confirm other tests or to identify a certain strain of flu that is affecting a community or other geographic location.

Home influenza tests can be purchased online and sometimes in some pharmacies. These types of tests are often approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and they are considered to be somewhat accurate if all instructions are followed closely. Most home influenza kits involve mixing a sample of a person's nasal secretions with a solution. A test strip is then dipped into the mixture that will change color if the influenza virus is detected.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-kinds-of-influenza-tests.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.