Yes, you can test for the flu at home. The FDA has authorized several over-the-counter rapid flu tests that work much like the COVID-19 home tests you may already be familiar with. Most of these kits test for influenza A, influenza B, and COVID-19 simultaneously using a single nasal swab, and results come back in 10 to 15 minutes.
What Home Flu Tests Are Available
Every home flu test currently on the market is a combination test that checks for both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. This makes sense because the symptoms of the two illnesses overlap so heavily that distinguishing them without a test is nearly impossible. Brands you’ll find in pharmacies and online include the iHealth COVID-19/Flu A&B Rapid Test, the CorDx TyFast, the WELLlife Flu A&B Home Test, the OSOM Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Home Test, and the Equate combo test (Walmart’s store brand).
There’s also a newer option: the Flowflex Plus 4-in-1, which is the first home test cleared to detect RSV in addition to flu and COVID-19. It can be used on children as young as 6 months when an adult administers the test with a special nasal swab guard. Most other combo tests are cleared for ages 2 and up.
Prices range from about $6 for a single flu-only test (the WELLlife Flu A&B) to $10 to $14 for combo flu/COVID kits. Two-packs, like Pfizer’s Lucira test, typically run $25 to $30. These tests may be eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement, though coverage varies by plan.
How Accurate Home Flu Tests Are
Home flu tests are antigen-based, meaning they detect proteins on the surface of the virus rather than the virus’s genetic material. This makes them fast but less sensitive than the PCR tests used in labs and hospitals. In a large prospective study, a home rapid flu test correctly identified about 61% of true positive cases overall, while correctly ruling out the flu 95% of the time. In other words, a positive result is reliable, but a negative result doesn’t guarantee you’re flu-free.
The FDA now requires rapid antigen tests to achieve at least 80% sensitivity before clearance. Newer tests on the market, like the Healgen Rapid Check, have reported sensitivity around 92.5% for flu and specificity above 99%, a significant improvement over earlier-generation tests. The Lucira test from Pfizer uses molecular technology (detecting viral genetic material rather than proteins), which generally pushes sensitivity into the 88 to 95% range. It costs more, but if accuracy matters most to you, a molecular home test is the closest you’ll get to a lab-quality result without leaving your house.
When to Take the Test
Timing matters more than most people realize. Influenza viral load peaks on the very first day of symptoms. That means the best time to swab is as soon as you start feeling sick: the sudden onset of fever, body aches, chills, or exhaustion that characterizes the flu. Testing within the first 72 hours of symptoms gives you the strongest chance of an accurate result. After that window, viral levels drop and the sensitivity of rapid antigen tests declines. One study found sensitivity fell from about 63% within the first three days to 58% after day three.
There’s a practical reason to test early, too. Prescription antiviral medications work best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset. A quick positive result on day one gives you time to contact your doctor, get a prescription, and start treatment while it can still shorten the illness and reduce the risk of complications.
How to Use a Home Flu Test
The process takes about 12 to 15 minutes from start to finish. Here’s what to expect:
- Collect your sample. Remove the swab from its pouch without touching the soft tip. Insert it no more than 3/4 inch (about 1.5 cm) into one nostril and rotate it at least 5 times against the inside wall. Pull it out and repeat in the other nostril with the same swab. For children, insertion depth should be closer to 1/2 inch, and you may need a second adult to hold the child’s head steady.
- Mix the sample. Place the swab into the buffer tube (the small vial of liquid included in the kit) and swirl it in circles at least 10 times. Leave the swab sitting in the liquid for one minute.
- Apply to the test cassette. Pinch the swab through the tube to squeeze out extra liquid, then discard the swab. Cap the tube, open the dropper tip, and squeeze exactly 4 drops into the sample well on the test card. Using fewer than 4 drops can produce an incorrect result.
- Wait and read. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Colored lines will appear on the cassette to indicate positive results for flu A, flu B, COVID-19, or any combination. Do not read the test before 10 minutes or after 20 minutes, as results outside that window can be misleading.
What a Positive Result Means
If your test shows a line for flu A or flu B, you very likely have the flu. False positives are uncommon with these tests (specificity runs 95 to 99%). Your next step is to contact your doctor or use a telehealth service. Antiviral treatment, which can shorten symptoms by one to two days and reduce the chance of serious complications, is most effective when started within 48 hours of your first symptoms. For people at higher risk (adults over 65, young children, pregnant women, or anyone with chronic health conditions), early treatment is especially important.
What a Negative Result Means
A negative result is less definitive. Because rapid antigen tests miss roughly 20 to 40% of true flu infections, a negative home test doesn’t rule out the flu entirely. If your symptoms are severe or worsening, especially high fever, significant body aches, or shortness of breath, it’s worth following up with a healthcare provider who can order a more sensitive molecular test. You can also retest at home 24 to 48 hours later, since viral levels fluctuate and a second test sometimes catches what the first one missed.
Keep in mind that other respiratory viruses (RSV, common cold viruses, and others) cause symptoms that look a lot like the flu. A negative flu and COVID test with persistent symptoms may point to one of these. The Flowflex 4-in-1 test, which also checks for RSV, can help narrow things down further if that’s a concern.