Can they test for the flu?

faBriezy

My DS a pretty bad cold with a 101.5 fever. I would not normally call the pedi about a cold, but with all the "flu" talk lately (thank you Nest) I'm a little worried. But then I was wondering, can they even test for the flu? I have no idea. And can they do anything for him if it is a flu?

He is miserable and I am miserable because he kept me up all night .

MaestraMama

I don't know if they will test for flu with those symptoms, but DD had something similar on Monday and it turned out she had an ear infection.  Couldn't hurt to have him checked out.

Dobie_Mama

Yup, they can.  They do it with a nasal swab.  They can give him steroids and/or an anti-viral (like Tamiflu) to lessen the length/severity of symptoms but it doesn't really "cure" the flu like abx's do with a bacterial infection.

Hope he feels better soon! 

Mrs Manners

They can test for the flu but they might not with only a 101.5 fever. Even if it turns out to be the flu, the odds are they wouldn't treat it. They do have anti-viral medications but they tend to only use those on children who have some sort of chronic illness or chronic respiratory condition or something else that puts them at high risk.

skidunks

Awww...poor Asher! I'm so sorry he's sick, I was going to call you to see if you guys wanted to have a playdate this afternoon!

I would probably call, just to be on the safe side. G had a snotty nose all week but no fever. Can't hurt to call. Let me know if you guys need anything, I'm going to run to the store in awhile and I can stop by,

PieDB

I just got tested for the H1N1 yesterday.  It was a nose swab and it took them about 10 minutes to have the results.  Thankfully no swine flu - just bronchitis.  It would have identified whatever kind of flu I had - not just H1N1.