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ARCHIVED - Covid or flu: new antigen tests in Spanish pharmacies can tell the difference
The combined antigen tests can be purchased in pharmacies across Spain for less than three euros
There’s a tricky season approaching, when the colder weather makes us more susceptible to viruses and other illnesses as Covid still lurks in the background. When the Omicron variant first emerged last year, experts were surprised by how similar its symptoms were to those of the common flu, and many poorly patients confused the two.
To simplify matters, scientists have developed a new kind of antigen test, available in pharmacies across Spain without prescription, which can tell us whether we have coronavirus or the flu; and not just that: it can even distinguish between influenza A and influenza B.
Just like the regular over-the-counter varieties, customers have a choice of nasal or saliva antigen tests, and these too are subject to a maximum price of 2.94 euros.
“It is interesting to have these new diagnostic tools because we can find out what is causing the symptoms and therefore take the appropriate isolation measures,” explained Inmaculada Castillo from the Official College of Pharmacists of Madrid (COFM).
How do the combined Covid and flu tests work?
Exactly the same as the coronavirus tests that have been available from pharmacies since last year, essentially. The procedure for self-testing is identical, but the difference occurs with the results.
Depending on the manufacturer, there will usually be two windows, one for coronavirus and one for influenza.
In the results section for Covid, two lines will appear: C for control and T for test. The C line must always be marked, indicating that the test has been done properly. If a line appears beside the T, however faintly, this indicates that the patient has tested positive for coronavirus.
For the flu, three lines appear: C for control, A for influenza A and B for influenza B. In this case, if only the C line is marked and the others remain blank, then the patient has tested negative for flu.
Image: Rhogen Laboratories
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