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Test Can Diagnose Swine Flu In Just 24 Hours

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Nov 4, 2009 7:51 pm US/Mountain

Test Can Diagnose Swine Flu In Just 24 Hours

Reporting
Kathy Walsh
DENVER (CBS4) ― There is now a way for people to find out if they have the swine flu in just 24 hours. National Jewish Health announced Wednesday it's offering the test.

Doctors say the test is highly sensitive and agrees with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention test 98 percent of the time.

Anyone with flu-like symptoms can get the test. Doctors just swab a patient's nose and then send the sample to National Jewish Health.

In the lab the scientists extract the genetic material from the sample and then mix it with the test chemicals. The diagnosis is returned in one working day.

Many doctors are telling generally-healthy people who are sick they don't need to test for flu and to just stay home and recover. But the test may be helpful for hospitalized and high-risk patients so they are treated promptly and properly as the seasonal flu starts circulating.

"This test may be helpful in that it can pick up seasonal influenza A and also further distinguish 2009 H1N1 influenza and you may be able to pick the correct antiviral; or at least narrow the antivirals you use to treat it," Dr. Chris Czaja said.

Tamiflu doesn't work for the seasonal flu, so a patient may need a different antiviral medication.

The test costs $147 and may or may not be covered by insurance, depending on a patient's plan.

Additional Resources

CBS4's H1N1 Survival Guide contains hospital and clinic information for getting a vaccination -- many of them free. It also contains many useful links, sections and the latest articles and video clips about the swine flu. Visit the H1N1 Survival Guide

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