Where Can I Get a Flu Test? 4 Places to Get a Flu Test

Key takeaways:

The flu, COVID-19, and common colds all cause similar symptoms. So it can be difficult to tell them apart based on your symptoms alone.
A flu test can tell you for sure whether you have the flu. You can get tested for the flu at many places, including urgent care centers and local pharmacies. You can also use an at-home flu test.
Talk with a healthcare professional if you test positive for the flu. Prescription flu medications can help you feel better faster, but they work best if started within 48 hours of when your symptoms begin.

Getting sick during cold and flu season is no fun. And now it’s harder than ever to figure out what’s making you feel ill. Your symptoms alone can’t tell you whether you have the flu, COVID-19, or another virus. And the cause of your symptoms can have a real impact on your daily life. You want to know whether to isolate yourself and if you need to start treatment for COVID or the flu.

Only a flu test can tell you for sure whether you have the flu. So, if you have flu symptoms between October and May, it’s a good idea to get a flu test. This is especially true if you’re over 65 years old or have medical conditions that affect your heart, lungs, or immune system. And you want to test as soon as possible.

Prescription flu treatments — like Tamiflu (oseltamivir), Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil), and Relenza (zanamivir) — work best if they’re started within 48 hours of when symptoms start.

Finding a flu test may be easier than you think. Here are four places you can get a flu test right now.

1. Retail pharmacies

Retail pharmacies (like CVS, Walgreens, and grocery-store pharmacies) are a convenient place to get a flu test. They offer flexible hours, walk-in access at many locations, and multiple testing options. Pharmacy staff or clinic providers can do some tests in-store. They also sell some test kits that you can use at home.

In-store testing

Pharmacies commonly offer rapid flu tests with results in about 15 minutes.
Many locations now provide combo tests that check for flu and COVID in a single swab, with results in 10-20 minutes.
A healthcare professional will use a nasal swab or supervise as you collect your own sample.
Testing availability varies, so check ahead online or by phone to see if your pharmacy offers it. Some locations require appointments; others accept walk-ins.

At-home testing

Pharmacies also sell FDA-authorized rapid home tests that combine flu A/B and COVID testing.
Examples include iHealth COVID-19/Flu A&B 3-in-1, Flowflex Plus COVID-19 & Flu A/B, and Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B.
These tests work much like in-store rapid antigen tests: you collect a nasal swab and get results in about 15-20 minutes.

In most cases, flu tests offered in retail pharmacies are rapid flu tests, also known as antigen tests. Lucira by Pfizer, is one exception (more on this below). Rapid tests are popular because they offer very quick results. But rapid flu tests have one drawback: They’re not the most sensitive test for the flu. So false-negative results are common. If you have flu symptoms during peak flu season and you have a negative rapid flu test, the staff at your pharmacy may recommend that you get a more sensitive test.

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2. Urgent care centers

Urgent care centers are a common place to get tested for the flu. Most offer flu testing, though availability can vary, so it’s best to call ahead. Like pharmacies, they usually have extended hours and accept walk-ins, though some may require appointments. They’re easy to find in cities and suburbs, but options may be limited in rural areas.

The type of testing offered depends on the clinic:

Rapid antigen tests: These are similar to those used in pharmacies, with results in about 15 minutes. These are the least accurate type of flu test.
Rapid molecular assays: These are more accurate than antigen tests, with results in about 30 minutes.
RT-PCR tests: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests use special equipment and are the most accurate type of test for flu. If your urgent care is affiliated with a hospital or large lab, then they might offer this type of test. Results usually return within several hours to a day.
Multiplex tests: These tests are designed to test for common cold viruses, COVID, flu, and sometimes RSV — all on one nasal swab. These tests also use special equipment and can be more expensive. Results can take several hours to a day, depending on lab turnaround.

3. Your primary care provider’s office

Many primary care offices offer flu testing during peak flu season, although availability depends on the size of the practice and whether they keep tests in stock. It may be harder to get a same-day appointment with your primary care provider than with an urgent care clinic or retail pharmacy. But the benefit is that your provider already knows your medical history. And, they can help you decide on the best course of treatment if you do have the flu. They can also check in with you during recovery and manage any complications.

Like urgent care centers, your primary care provider’s office may offer different types of flu tests. Some may only have access to rapid tests. Others may offer more accurate tests, like rapid molecular assays, RT-PCR tests, and multiplex tests, especially if they’re connected to a hospital or large medical facility.

But here’s another benefit of seeing your primary care provider: If you have a negative rapid test and your provider is still concerned that you have the flu, they can start you on treatment. And even if they don’t have more accurate testing available in the office, they can send your sample to an outside lab for a more sensitive test.

4. Your own home

You can test yourself for the flu in the comfort of your own home using self-collection kits. Rapid antigen tests, like those listed above, will give you a quick result (15 minutes) but they aren’t the most accurate. And, they’re only FDA-authorized for use if you have symptoms.

Rapid antigen tests that combine flu A/B and COVID testing are available from retail pharmacies and include brands like:

iHealth COVID-19/Flu A&B 3-in-1
Flowflex Plus COVID-19 & Flu A/B
Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B

But now, there are more accurate rapid molecular tests available for home use. Here are some of the current options for the 2025-2026 flu season:

Labcorp Pixel: Labcorp offers a home testing kit called Pixel that can also tell if you have flu A/B, COVID, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — all using the same swab. With this kit, you collect a nasal swab and send it back via prepaid shipping or drop-off. A lab processes it and typically shares results 1-2 days after receiving the sample. You can order the kit online through Labcorp OnDemand without a prescription, though shipping times for the kit and returning the sample can delay the process. So, unless you stocked up before flu season, getting a test in real time will be challenging.
Lucira by Pfizer: Pfizer offers a combination flu and COVID at-home test called Lucira. With this test, you collect your own sample and run it at home. It’s a single-use molecular (RT-LAMP) test that detects flu A/B and COVID. It does not test for RSV. Results are available in about 30 minutes. You can buy it without a prescription and run the whole test at home.

With any home test, always interpret negative results with caution, especially if you have flu‐like symptoms and may have been exposed to the flu virus. Consider follow-up testing or medical evaluation if you aren’t sure.

Frequently asked questions

Antiviral flu medications can help you feel better faster, but they’re most effective when you start them within 48 hours of when you first have symptoms. So test for the flu as soon as possible if you want to take prescription flu medication or if you have a higher risk of flu-related complications.

After being exposed and infected with the flu virus, you’ll likely have symptoms in around 2 days. But this can range from 1 to 4 days.

Yes, there’s a chance you may not get the flu even if you’re around someone who’s infected. You’re less likely to get infected if you’ve received the flu shot. But remember that the flu is very contagious and can spread through the air when someone who’s infected coughs, sneezes, or breathes. So do your best to avoid contact with someone who has the flu, and wear a mask if you must be around them.

The bottom line

When you get sick during cold and flu season, your symptoms alone can’t tell you if you have the flu, COVID, or another virus. And knowing which virus you have helps you decide on plans for isolation and treatment. So, if you think you may have the flu during flu season, get tested so you can start prescription anti-flu medications within 48 hours, if needed.

You can get a flu test at your local retail pharmacy, urgent care centers, or your primary care provider’s office. Most results are available within 15 to 30 minutes. There are also at-home flu testing kits available without a prescription.

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Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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