SWINE FLU TEST

This test will detect the Swine Flu Virus / H1N1 Virus which is a type of Influenza A Virus.

You can be tested if:

you have a high body temperature of over 38C or 100.4F or a history of fever and influenza-like illness which includes two or more of the following symptoms:

cough
sore throat
runny nose (rhinorrhoea)
limb or joint pain
headache
vomiting
diarrhoea

You should not consider testing if:

you DO NOT have a high body temperature of over 38C or 100.4F or a history of fever and influenza-like illness which includes two or more of the above symptoms as you may not have swine flu.

You should also be aware that:

if you are currently taking the antiviral Tamiflu, this may reduce the accuracy of the test and may give a false negative result.

UK orders received before 4:15pm are automatically sent for next day delivery before 1pm.

The Swine Flu test kit contains two swabs. One swab is taken from the nasal passage and the other from the back of the throat.

All appropriate packaging and instructions are included with the Swine Flu test kit.

Samples should be posted to the laboratory by next day delivery before 9am to ensure results are available on time.

Results for Influenza A are available within 1 working day of the sample arriving at our laboratory. Samples that test positive are then tested again to identify the pandemic H1N1 strain of the Influenza A Virus. This takes a further 2 working days.

This particular test is a highly sensitive “PCR” based test, meaning that if you take a swab in the first 48 hours of someone having an ILI (influenza like illness) the likelihood of the test picking up the virus, if present, is more or less 99.9%. Samples taken after this time will still provide a result with a high degree of accuracy as long as you are still symptomatic.

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:
- Read up on swine flu symptoms then use the NHS Direct swine flu symptom checker.
- If you are then still concerned, stay at home and call your GP.
- If the GP confirms swine flu by telephone, they will give you a voucher reference number entitling you to antiviral medication.
- Give this number to a healthy friend or relative and ask them to pick up the antivirals for you from a designated local collection centre. stay at home and limit contact with other people.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
- Wash your hands
- Try to stay in good health - assess your current health (Well Person Check)
- Get plenty of sleep
- Be physically active
- Manage your stress
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat nutritious food
- Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. Tamiflu is used for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

The information on this page has been reviewed and approved by...

Dr Michaela Schuhwerk
MRCP, DTMH, DFFP, DipGUM, MSc Infectious Diseases, CCST in GUM Medicine

updated 6/10/2009