GENETWORx Offers Flu A-B/COVID Combo Test
COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. Because they have similar symptoms it can be difficult to tell them apart. The chart below compares COVID-19, influenza, and RSV symptoms and transmission periods.
COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV Similarities & Differences
COVID-19
Influenza
RSV
Symptoms
- Symptoms onset may appear in 5 days, but can appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus
- Fever or feverish feeling/chills (likely, fever may be low-grade)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
- Decrease in appetite
- Change in or loss of taste or smell is common
- Symptoms onset is abrupt at 1 to 4 days
- Fever or feverish feeling/chills (likely but not everyone will experience a fever)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
- Decrease in appetite
- Loss of taste or smell is uncommon
- Symptom onset is within 4 to 6 days after exposure to the virus
- Fever extremely likely
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Decrease in appetite
- Loss of taste or smell is uncommon
Contagiousness
If a person tests positive for COVID-19, they may be contagious for a longer period of time than if they had Influenza or RSV
Symptoms last 5 to 7 days
RSV infections resolve on their own within 1 to 2 weeks
Approved Drugs
Currently there are no FDA-approved drugs for COVID-19 treatment
Treatment to alleviate symptoms is available if treated within the first 48 hours of infection
Management of fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers
Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19
With many Americans returning to school and work and more people spending time indoors due to the change in weather, now is the time to be vigilant when it comes to influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. The 2019-2020 flu season, which ran from October 2019 through March 2020, had case totals between 39 to 56 million and medical visits between 18 to 26 million, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For RSV, the CDC reports 2.1 million outpatient visits and 57 thousand hospitalizations in children under 5 years of age, with 177 thousand hospitalizations and 14 thousand deaths in adults over 65. COVID-19 cases are nearing 7 million with deaths over 200 thousand. So, if you are showing signs of the symptoms in the chart above, it is important to know whether you have COVID-19, influenza, or RSV. The only way to be sure is through diagnostic testing.
GENETWORx is offering the Flu A-B/COVID Combo Test to detect both strands of influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 all from a single sample. With this combination test, healthcare providers can provide an accurate diagnosis to patients and treat them with the appropriate measures. Patients then can observe appropriate quarantine measures to stop the spread.
The GENETWORx Flu A-B/COVID Combo Test is a molecular assay including RT-PCR that detects two types of influenza viruses—influenza A and B—and differentiates them from RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Flu A-B/COVID Combo Test provided by GENETWORx has an accuracy rate of 98.5% for detecting Flu A-B, an accuracy rate of 96.1% for detecting RSV, and an accuracy rate of 99% for detecting COVID-19 resulting in accurate results and a significantly reduced rate of false negatives.
GENETWORx combination testing for Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19
The capability to test for influenza A/B, RSV, and COVID-19 from a single mid-turbinate or nasopharyngeal swab sample means less discomfort for patients when compared with collecting a separate sample for each test. Testing a single sample for several pathogens uses fewer resources and takes less time when compared with running several individual tests on multiple samples to detect different pathogens.
GENETWORx has one of the fastest results-reporting platforms in the world, making results available in less than 72 hours. These results can be accessed by the patient or the provider in the online portal, as well as via text or phone, or our COVID-19 software solution, named Aura.
Aura users have expedited turnaround times of Flu A-B/COVID Combo Test results, as this end-to-end digital management system significantly reduces laboratory process time. Aura ensures a compliant, safe, healthy population for healthcare providers, schools, universities, governments, cities, employers, and more. Learn more about the benefits of this software.
An approval date for a COVID-19 vaccine is still yet to be determined and the flu vaccine is dependent on which strain of influenza is circulating each year. There is currently no vaccine for RSV. Even with the correct strain, the flu vaccine is not 100% reliable. With all the unknowns and risks associated with this upcoming flu and RSV season, ensure you have the most comprehensive, accurate Flu A-B/COVID test on hand.
Call GENETWORx today at 610-726-1205 or complete the form to learn more and secure your tests.
The United States is facing an enormous health crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming flu season, with the similarities of symptoms between the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, the optimum way to know which virus you may have is through testing. Having a combination test that detects each virus may be seen as a boon for both healthcare providers and patients. One test—three answers, much more efficient than separate testing.”
– William Miller, CEO of GENETWORx Laboratory.
For more information on our testing capabilities or for instructions on the gathering of samples,
please contact GENETWORx by:
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