What is Influenza (the Flu)?

There are four types of influenza virus. Influenza A is the most common, by influenza B. Both are highly contagious, and their symptoms are similar. Influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral respiratory illness that is most prevalent during fall and winter months. The influenza virus causes infections of the nose, throat, and lungs. It spreads easily by coughing, sneezing, and direct contact with spit, phlegm, or runny nose.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Other types of coronaviruses have caused diseases such as MERS and SARS. This respiratory illness is most often spread from person to person via droplets from the nose or mouth. It is also possible to get COVID-19 by coming into contact with surfaces that have the virus present.

What is the Delta variant? 

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been called a variant of concern by WHO because of its increased transmissibility and increased ability to cause a severe form of the disease. Where the Delta variant is identified, it quickly and efficiently spreads between people.  

When a virus is circulating widely and causing numerous infections, the likelihood of the virus mutating increases. The more opportunities a virus has to spread, the more opportunities it has to undergo changes. Experts are constantly monitoring new variants of the corona-virus that causes COVID-19 to see if they spread more easily, cause more severe disease, or could have an impact on the effectiveness of public health measures

What is Omicron variant?

Studies are being conducted in South Africa and around the world to better understand the phenomenon of Omicron. The Omicron variant, variant B.1.1.529, was first reported to WHO on 24 November 2021 and was classified as a variant of concern by WHO on 26 November 2021. The classification was made on the advice of the Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution, based primarily on information from South Africa that the variant has a large number of mutations and has caused a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology.

 

People who have the Delta, Omicron Covid variant tend to have symptoms for a shorter period, a lower risk of being admitted to hospital and a different set of symptoms from those who have Delta, research has suggested.

How Can You Prevent Getting Sick?

How to Use a Face Mask?

Is there a self-testing option?

Yes. Covid-19 variants and Influenza viruses cause almost similar symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment of these infections challenging. By detecting the multiple pathogens using a combination test such as the Biotime Flu A/B & COVID-19 Antigen, initial screening of Covid-19 and influenza patients will be less time-consuming and less uncertain. Along with COVID-19 Ag & Flu A/B Combo Self-Test Biotime also has full range solutions for related viruses. Including, Swiftflex COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test for home self-testing which are a colloidal gold immunochromatography intended for in vitro rapid diagnostics. Simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of N protein from Covid-19 and Influenza directly from nasal swab specimens can be obtained from individuals.

 

Test Procedure

Reference:

1. Influenza (flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 20, 2020.
2. Coronavirus (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed March 1, 2022.
3. AskMayoExpert. COVID-19: Adult. Mayo Clinic; 2020.
4. AskMayoExpert. Influenza. Mayo Clinic; 2019.
5. Caliendo AM, et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Diagnosis. Accessed July 20, 2020.
6. Belongia EA, et al. COVID-19 and flu, a perfect storm. Science. 2020; doi:10.1126/science.abd2220.
7. Noh JY, et al. Social distancing against COVID-19: Implication for the control of influenza. Journal of Korean Medical Science. 2020; doi:10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e182.
8. World Health Organization, Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports. Accessed 9 May 2020.
9. A. R. Fehr, S. Perlman, Coronaviruses: An overview of their replication and pathogenesis. Methods Mol. Biol. 1282, 1–23 (2015).
10. https://www.xiamenbiotime.com/covid-19-ag-flu-a-b-combo-self-test_p79.html