This functionality is only for registeredThis functionality is only for registeredThis functionality is only for registeredThis feature is for subscribers onlyThey landed in pharmacies just a few weeks ago but they already promise to be the star element of this flu and coronavirus season.As respiratory infections circulate again, the sale of antigen tests also increases, and this year a novelty is added to the catalog: tests that detect both Covid-19 infection and influenza A or influenza B (common).For sale at the same price as the SARS-CoV-2 detection tests (2.94 euros), at the moment the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Aemps) has five of these registered: three nasal and two saliva.The five distributors are already supplying pharmacies, and many of them are already selling them normally, although the population still, they count from some, does not know well how these tests work.The latest variants of SARS-CoV-2 in circulation, the BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages of Ómicron present symptoms very similar to those of the flu and, therefore, it may be of interest to know the cause of the pathology to take the adequate isolation measures.Cough, fever and general tiredness are the common symptoms, although the fever is usually higher in the case of the flu.This type of test has the same operation as the conventional tests that were sold before.The sample can be taken from the nose or from saliva and once obtained, it is mixed with the reagent and the mixture is poured into the well in the test cassette or into the two wells, depending on the type of test.In this case, instead of a single test line for SARS-CoV-2 we will have 3 lines: one for influenza A, another for influenza B and one for the detection of Covid-19.There are tests that share a line for influenza A and B. Once 15-20 minutes have passed, depending on the test and what is indicated in its package insert, you can read the results and check if it is positive for any of the viruses, according to the test line that is highlighted on the cassette.If the test comes out positive for SARS-CoV-2, there is a real suspicion of Covid-19 infection and the person should take extreme precautions, reduce social interactions as much as possible, use the appropriate protection measures and contact their health center if it presents criteria of severity or poor evolution.If the test is positive for influenza A or influenza B, the person can contact their pharmacist, who can offer help to alleviate their symptoms.In the case of people at risk, it is recommended to contact your doctor.Clinical management, in any case, be it influenza or coronavirus, will be very similar.«I rest with fever and isolation as far as possible, with analgesics and hydration.In people who are not considered at risk because they are not over 60 years old or have any major chronic disease, the logical thing is that they stay at home, ”José María Molero, spokesperson for the Spanish Society’s Infectious Diseases Working Group, explains to ABC. of Family and Community Medicine (SemFYC).The recommendation from the Ministry of Health is also to wear a mask and keep the appropriate protection measures so as not to infect others.Despite everything, this type of test can give a feeling of "false security" if they come out negative even with symptoms.This is how Iván Sanz, head of science and virological surveillance at the National Influenza Center in Valladolid, explains it: "The intake may have been done wrong or a low viral load may have been taken and that allows a normal life to continue."In addition, he points out another problem, and that is that this case is not notified to the health authorities, so they will have less evidence of the respiratory viruses that are circulating.MORE INFORMATION relatedThis differentiation between viruses offered by the new tests makes sense "especially at a global level", because at the individual level, "the measures to treat them are the same", emphasizes Ángela Domínguez, coordinator of the Working Group on Vaccination of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology.Thus, sequencing makes it possible to know "which are the viruses that cause the greatest number of cases and to identify them," she adds.And although at an individual level it may not make much sense, this distinction is essential in order to choose the ideal flu vaccine next year.This feature is for subscribers onlyThe piece that drives the professional careerThe most read in SocietySix unique houses in Andalusia where you can spend your holidaysYour message has been sent successfullyYour message has been sent successfullyThank you very much for your participation