Rapid antigen testing doubtlessly helped the world through the greatest public health crisis since the Spanish flu of 1914. This took an estimated 50 million lives, exceeded only by the infamous bubonic plague of the 14th century. The reason influenza is highlighted here, is because many play down its severity and its impact.
Influenza has been the culprit of many epidemics and indeed pandemics, the 1918 being the first of three, the most recent being the 2003 outbreak of swine flu. Why are we telling you this?
Influenza is a highly contagious disease that is responsible for putting many out of work every winter. It is an efficient virus that can, in a sustained and predictable way, spread quickly through close contacts.
Many can be thankful to not have been affected, or not affect others, by early detection of their Covid-19 symptoms. This self-managed diagnosis and subsequent isolation has minimised the impacts on productivity for many businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Current flu outbreaks are proving just as damaging, if not worse, than what Covid-19 is currently doing. Covid-19, specifically the Omicron and Son-of-Omicron variants, has been compared with ‘flu. Many don’t realise that ‘flu kills over 660,000 people every year globally.
The impact that early detection can have on reducing the negative effects on productivity is enormous.
While rapid antigen tests are not a cure or medicine, they are an infection prevention tool by allowing you to stop the spread. Extending rapid antigen tests beyond Covid-19 to include the addition of Influenza A and B, is almost more relevant to the post-Covid environment. While some might see this as hyper-sensitivity and post-pandemic pedantism, in reality it reflects how the pandemic has boosted our awareness of how to manage infections, how to keep our staff healthy and well, and how to manage difficult situations.
What is an ABC test?
Like a normal RAT Kit for covid, an ABC test simply has two extra lines on the test for Influenza A and B. As most are now familiar with this method of testing, this is a way business approaching the Flu season can manage this risk adequately.
ABC is something various health regulatory bodies such as FDA and TGA currently recognise for regular seasonal flus.
Also Known as: COVID-19 – Antigen rapid Tests Combo COVID and Flu (Influenza), Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests, ARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Rapid Antigen Test, System Device for SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B Combo Antigen Rapid Test, Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests, Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs), Status™ COVID-19/Flu A&B, COVID-19 – Antigen rapid Tests Combo COVID and Flu (Influenza), Combined testing for COVID-19, Flu A & Flu B** BD Veritor™ Plus System, SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A+B, COVID-19 and Influenza A+B Rapid Antigen Combo Test (Nasopharyngeal Swab), Seasonal Influenza IVD self-tests,
FAQ:
Can you get rapid antigen tests for the flu?
Is it worth getting tested for the flu?
What precautions can I take against the flu?
But why is it so hard to get a rapid antigen test for influenza?
Does New cutting-edge rapid test detects both COVID-19 and flu?
Is it Flu or is it COVID-19?
