Health and Me

Itisha Arya

As Flu Cases Are Rising In The US, Can At-Home Tests Miss Early Infections?

at home flu test

If it feels like the flu is everywhere right now, that feeling is not off the mark. This season is shaping up to be particularly harsh. That makes it even more important to use every available option to slow the spread, including at-home flu tests. 

Speaking on *Good Morning America* on Tuesday, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton said this year’s flu wave has arrived sooner and with more force than last year. He explained that when flu activity starts early and remains heavy, the overall impact can be serious, not because the virus behaves differently in individuals, but because more people fall ill over a longer stretch of time. That prolonged pressure, he warned, can put a real strain on healthcare systems.

Flu cases are increasing across the US and continue to climb. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current season has already seen at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospital admissions, and around 3,100 deaths linked to flu. Much of this activity has been associated with a newer strain, known as subclade K, identified through further testing of thousands of samples sent to the CDC.

Experts say mutations in this strain have created a mismatch with the composition of this season’s flu vaccine. Even so, specialists stress that the vaccine still plays an important role in lowering the risk of severe outcomes, including hospitalisation and death. They also note that it is not too late to get vaccinated this season.

The <span>US Food and Drug Administration</span> cleared the first combined flu and COVID-19 home test kits in 2023, followed by the first rapid antigen versions toward the end of 2024. These tests are now available in pharmacies, much like at-home COVID kits.

That said, at-home flu tests come with limits, similar to what people experienced with home COVID testing. As the respiratory virus season intensifies, it is important to understand how these tests perform.

While home flu antigen tests are easy to use and relatively affordable, they are not as sensitive as lab-based testing, according to Campbell. He explains that this means a significant number of people who actually have the flu may still test negative. The tests also tend to work better in children than in adults. In children, sensitivity ranges from about 50 to 80 per cent, while in adults it is likely closer to 50 per cent or even lower. In practical terms, that means someone with flu may only get a positive home test result about half the time.

A study from 2022 found that at-home flu tests had a sensitivity of roughly 63 per cent when used within 72 hours of symptom onset. A more recent study examining a rapid combined COVID, flu, and RSV test reported flu sensitivity at just 54 per cent.

At the same time, the FDA has pointed to data showing that the first test it authorised correctly identified between 90.5 per cent and 92 per cent of flu A and B cases.

Experts say there are ways to improve the chances of getting an accurate result, including testing at the right moment and carefully following all instructions provided with the kit.

The timing of the test makes a big difference when it comes to accuracy. Bradley advises taking the test as soon as symptoms appear. Early symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and congestion often coincide with the highest viral load in the body. This is when an antigen test is most likely to detect the infection.

In the two to three days that follow, viral levels tend to drop, Bradley explains, and test performance declines noticeably. By around 72 hours after symptoms begin, accuracy can be significantly reduced.

Campbell echoes this advice and suggests testing within the first one to two days of feeling unwell. For best results, people should aim to test as soon as they notice symptoms or within the first few days of illness.

Like home COVID-19 tests, flu tests detect specific viral proteins, known as antigens. These particles are found in nasal fluid, which is collected using a swab.

Unlike COVID antigen tests, flu tests can also distinguish between influenza A and influenza B. Bradley explains that flu viruses are structured differently, which allows tests to tell these two types apart.

From a practical standpoint, whether the result shows flu A or flu B does not change much. Both strains spread in similar ways, are treated the same, and can lead to severe illness, particularly in people who are older or otherwise vulnerable.

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If it feels like the flu is everywhere right now, that feeling is not off the mark. This season is shaping up to be particularly harsh. That makes it even more important to use every available option to slow the spread, including at-home flu tests. Speaking on *Good Morning America* on Tuesday, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton said this year’s flu wave has arrived sooner and with more force than last year. He explained that when flu activity starts early and remains heavy, the overall impact can be serious, not because the virus behaves differently in individuals, but because more people fall ill over a longer stretch of time. That prolonged pressure, he warned, can put a real strain on healthcare systems.Are Flu Cases On The Rise?Flu cases are increasing across the US and continue to climb. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current season has already seen at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospital admissions, and around 3,100 deaths linked to flu. Much of this activity has been associated with a newer strain, known as subclade K, identified through further testing of thousands of samples sent to the CDC.Experts say mutations in this strain have created a mismatch with the composition of this season’s flu vaccine. Even so, specialists stress that the vaccine still plays an important role in lowering the risk of severe outcomes, including hospitalisation and death. They also note that it is not too late to get vaccinated this season.Are At Home Flu Tests Accurate?The US Food and Drug Administration cleared the first combined flu and COVID-19 home test kits in 2023, followed by the first rapid antigen versions toward the end of 2024. These tests are now available in pharmacies, much like at-home COVID kits.That said, at-home flu tests come with limits, similar to what people experienced with home COVID testing. As the respiratory virus season intensifies, it is important to understand how these tests perform.While home flu antigen tests are easy to use and relatively affordable, they are not as sensitive as lab-based testing, according to Campbell. He explains that this means a significant number of people who actually have the flu may still test negative. The tests also tend to work better in children than in adults. In children, sensitivity ranges from about 50 to 80 per cent, while in adults it is likely closer to 50 per cent or even lower. In practical terms, that means someone with flu may only get a positive home test result about half the time.A study from 2022 found that at-home flu tests had a sensitivity of roughly 63 per cent when used within 72 hours of symptom onset. A more recent study examining a rapid combined COVID, flu, and RSV test reported flu sensitivity at just 54 per cent.At the same time, the FDA has pointed to data showing that the first test it authorised correctly identified between 90.5 per cent and 92 per cent of flu A and B cases.Experts say there are ways to improve the chances of getting an accurate result, including testing at the right moment and carefully following all instructions provided with the kit.When to Take an At-Home Flu Test?The timing of the test makes a big difference when it comes to accuracy. Bradley advises taking the test as soon as symptoms appear. Early symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and congestion often coincide with the highest viral load in the body. This is when an antigen test is most likely to detect the infection.In the two to three days that follow, viral levels tend to drop, Bradley explains, and test performance declines noticeably. By around 72 hours after symptoms begin, accuracy can be significantly reduced.Campbell echoes this advice and suggests testing within the first one to two days of feeling unwell. For best results, people should aim to test as soon as they notice symptoms or within the first few days of illness.How At-Home Flu Tests Work?Like home COVID-19 tests, flu tests detect specific viral proteins, known as antigens. These particles are found in nasal fluid, which is collected using a swab.Unlike COVID antigen tests, flu tests can also distinguish between influenza A and influenza B. Bradley explains that flu viruses are structured differently, which allows tests to tell these two types apart.From a practical standpoint, whether the result shows flu A or flu B does not change much. Both strains spread in similar ways, are treated the same, and can lead to severe illness, particularly in people who are older or otherwise vulnerable.