Question: Our local urgent care facility is using the same test to determine either the FLU or COVID … I’m so cynical about ANY of this stuff anymore … ☼ How does this work … that a single test can determine two different ailments ..??..
Hi Jeb, This is probably a rapid antigen test, that looks for genetic material specific to each virus. there are many companies like Pfizer, Abbot etc who have come out with these multiple antigen detecting tests. Historically , if it gets positive and you have symptoms probably correct, but a lot of times people have symptoms and these will test negative. In general the same recommendation remains, if you have a respiratory virus, EARLY treatment is best, often just start before testing. There are protocols for both early RSV/FLU and Covid on the website and a provider directory under resources as well.