Detect the most common respiratory viruses with innovative new combined antigen tests at home
„Influenza can be deadly, but RSV can be even deadlier because of the serious potential complications.”
The more the SARS-CoV-2 virus is modified, the more the symptoms from respiratory viruses can be confused. Today, it is vital to identify which virus – if any – is affecting our bodies.
•It is extremely important to identify the right virus and start appropriate treatment as soon as possible because of the high virus-specific risks and the potential for complications and even death.
• UK-based RapiChek is the first brand in Europe to offer two combined devices for self-testing, both capable of differential detection of influenza A/B, COVID-19 and one of them identifying RSV as well.
•By taking a sample from just 2-4 cm deep in the anterior nostril, you can quickly find out which virus has infected your body. At such critical moments, every minute counts to start the right treatment supporting the earliest possible recovery.
•The lesser known RSV has become the leading cause of respiratory tract infections in children under 5 years of age, with a much higher risk of hospitalisation and death compared to influenza.
•The elderly and children are particularly at risk from RSV, as there is no vaccine, drug or proven therapy against the virus.
•About half of infections caused by leading respiratory viruses are asymptomatic. This fact is an invisible facilitator of the spread of the pathogen in adult-adult, adult-child and child-child relationships, leading to serious risks and a need for caution.
The use of influenza A/B rapid tests has long been part of US family medicine protocol. However, the availability of home rapid tests for simultaneous detection of the three most important respiratory infections is a milestone in the world and in Europe, too. Now, everyone can get reliable information immediately, without having to join a waiting list or spend family resources on costly laboratory and private tests.
Recommended:
-If you experience one or more of the combined symptoms of influenza A/B and SARS-Cov-2, but none of the RSV symptoms, so the possibility of infection with the RSV virus is low or non-existent.
-For people who have not been in contact with children, parents or the elderly in the past 8 days and there is little or no chance of catching or transmitting RSV.
-Preventive screening of the above groups before and after family, social and public events, and to avoid asymptomatic transmission when the possibility of RSV infection is minimal or can be excluded due to the known network of contacts and social activity of the associated group members.
Recommended:
-After the onset of one or more joint symptoms of the three respiratory viruses
-Of particular importance for children, family members with children, their contacts, the elderly and other groups at high risk of health problems if any of these people show symptoms. Also, for those who have been in contact with any of the above persons, and particularly if one or more of the three respiratory viruses have been present in these persons.
-For preventive screening for the above groups at any time, but especially before and after family, social and public events to avoid asymptomatic infection transmission.
Recommended
-For people who only have symptoms typical of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or who have been in contact with people infected with SARS-CoV-2 and whose symptoms rule out the possibility of the other two main viral infections.
-Those who have not been in close contact with children, parents or the elderly in the past 8 days, so the possibility of contracting RSV or influenza is low or non-existent.
-For COVID-19 preventive screening only, to avoid transmission of asymptomatic infection to those who have a low or no chance of having been infected with RSV or influenza in the past 8 days, taking into account that they have not been in contact with children, parents, elderly.
•Nasopharyngeal (NP) testing is daunting for many who have experienced early PCR and antigen testing with this sampling method. However, non-invasive nasal examinations have become popular due to their simpler and painless method and price. The accuracy of these tests is now in sync with the once widely used, second-generation NP predecessors of high analytical values.
•These self-diagnostic tools can be widely and legally used in corporate and home environments across Europe.
• The new, combined rapid tests do not substitute laboratory tests, medical diagnosis and therapy.
"Co-infection with influenza and SARS-CoV-2 increases the odds of oxygen therapy by 4 times and odds of death by 2.4 times."
