“Can swine flu be detected by a blood test?”

H1N1 flu is caused by a new virus that is different from the seasonal flu. Your provider may order a rapid flu test to check for different flu viruses. Symptoms of swine flu are like the regular flu. This is a medical diagnosis. The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Typical treatment includes rest, pain reliever, and fluids. Thank you.

Yes, by finding antibodies against the virus in the patient's blood.

I don't think so. If there are symptoms, the doctor can swab inside the nose and find out if flu is there and what type it is.

RB Thomas,MD