The effects of Covid-19 on our health may be getting less severe, but that doesn’t mean it will disappear completely. Experts believe that the virus will become seasonal and peak during the winter along with the flu. How can you ensure that you are taking the right measures to help control the spread of Covid-19 and the flu? Combined rapid testing has already become a crucial method to help combat both diseases.
#1. It helps you find out if you are infected to also protect others.
When you get sick, the two most important things you can do are take care of your health and protect those around you from getting infected. With the help of a combined rapid test, you can quickly and easily determine if you have Covid-19 or the flu. If the result for either is positive, it is crucial to isolate yourself early on. This measure will help prevent the spread of the virus to others, which is especially important if you are usually in contact with people in high risk groups.
Combined rapid testing also helps take some of the burden off healthcare professionals, who may be overwhelmed depending on the spread of seasonal viruses like Covid-19 or the flu. Not having to leave your home to get tested in a lab or another testing facility means less exposure of the virus to the people around you.
#2. It differentiates between Covid-19 and Influenza A and B.
You feel tired and it seems like you have a fever. Your throat might be sore or you might have a runny nose. Is this Covid-19 or the flu? Or is it just the common cold? The symptoms of seasonal viruses can be quite similar or inconclusive, which could be a challenge when diagnosing them.
With combined rapid testing, you only need a few minutes and one sample to confirm if you have been infected with either Covid-19 or influenza. One test kit is enough so you can determine accurately and from the comfort of your own home if either of these viruses are the cause of your symptoms.
If the results are negative or inconclusive and your symptoms are getting worse, it is important to consult your attending physician.
#3. It helps you choose the optimal treatment method.
If you have Covid-19 or the flu and you are already isolated, the next step should be to get some rest and eat healthy. Starting the right treatment can also alleviate your symptoms and help you get healthy faster. Your doctor may recommend different measures depending on your specific case and it will be helpful to know whether they are dealing with Covid-19 or influenza. The symptoms of the two viruses may be similar, but once your attending physician knows your diagnosis, they would be able to better personalise your treatment.
Unfortunately, it is possible to get infected with both Covid-19 and the flu simultaneously, which could result in experiencing more severe symptoms. In this case, a healthcare professional will be able to take the necessary measures to help you combat both diseases.
#4. It provides easy and affordable testing that is widely available.
At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, testing was still limited and in some cases, it took a long time to get your results. Not everyone had access to affordable tests, which made it difficult to contain the spread of the disease as well as the panic from the unknown at the time.
Now, with the availability of combined rapid testing, everyone can rely on an accurate, quick, and affordable diagnostic method. At-home tests for Covid-19 and Influenza A and B do not need a trained medical professional to be performed. The results are almost instantly available and are easy to read. Especially when it comes to remote locations or rural areas where lab infrastructure is scarce, combined rapid testing can make all the difference in diagnosing and treating both Covid-19 and the flu.