3 Things To Know About Treating And Preventing The Flu
Getting the flu is never a fun event in life, and it can often be prevented by getting a flu shot. If you skipped getting a flu shot this year and ended up with flu-like symptoms, it might be wise to go to a primary care physician quickly. If you test positive for the flu, there is medication you can take that may reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu.
When do doctors test for the flu?
If you go to the doctor with flu symptoms, one of the first questions the doctor will ask is how long you have been experiencing the symptoms. If you have had them less than 48 hours, the doctor might recommend getting a flu test. The test used for diagnosing the flu will typically only show up positive if you get tested within 48 hours of getting the flu. If the test comes back positive, you can get medication. If it does not, medication is not likely to help you at all.
How do doctors test for this?
When you get a test to find out if you have the flu, the doctor will swab the back of your throat with a long cotton swab. Next, he or she will place it in a flu-test packet, and the results are usually ready within 15 minutes or less.
If you have the influenza A or B, the test will come back positive and will state the type you have. If you are positive, the doctor is likely to prescribe an antiviral medication to you. This will not immediately help you feel better, but it is helpful for making you well faster. Most people experience the flu for five to seven days without medication. These medications are designed to shorten the symptoms by one to two and a half days.
How can you prevent the flu?
Once you have the flu, there is not a lot you can do to get rid of it, unless you test positive and get medication. If you do not visit the doctor, you must simply let it run its course. If you want to prevent getting it in the future, you may want to consider getting a flu shot. This is an annual shot that helps prevent certain strains of the flu, and it is something that is suitable for most people of all ages.
If you are sick now and would like help, you should visit a primary care physician, such as those at Rural Health Services Consortium Inc., today.
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