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How Long Does It Take To Get The Results Of Swine-flu?

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Posted on Wed, 11 May 2016
Question: Hello Doctor, my name is XXXX and my ex-husband rang me last Thursday to say he has the swine flu but today says he's feeling better but also still no test results to say if it was the swine flu or not?
I'm just wondering how long does it take to get the results of a swine flu test?
I've got two young children that's my reason for asking.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
H1N1 tests

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Swine flu usually refers to H1N1 virus. There is a rapid test for it which can be done while waiting in the clinic, but this test can have errors. This test is done in less than 30 minutes.

The more accurate test is to culture it and this takes several days - usually 3-10 days. Part of the length of time is due to transportation of the specimen to the lab that cultures it. A culture is usually done when the rapid test is negative, the physician has a high suspicion for swine flu clinically and wants to confirm that that is the case.

Some research has shown that people can be infectious with H1N1 for as long as 13 days from becoming infected themselves.

These articles may help:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician_guidance_ridt.htm
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/flu/tab/test/

I hope this helps.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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How Long Does It Take To Get The Results Of Swine-flu?

Brief Answer: H1N1 tests Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, Swine flu usually refers to H1N1 virus. There is a rapid test for it which can be done while waiting in the clinic, but this test can have errors. This test is done in less than 30 minutes. The more accurate test is to culture it and this takes several days - usually 3-10 days. Part of the length of time is due to transportation of the specimen to the lab that cultures it. A culture is usually done when the rapid test is negative, the physician has a high suspicion for swine flu clinically and wants to confirm that that is the case. Some research has shown that people can be infectious with H1N1 for as long as 13 days from becoming infected themselves. These articles may help: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician_guidance_ridt.htm https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/flu/tab/test/ I hope this helps.