At-home flu and COVID tests can help people locate the source of their misery during what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified as the first “high severity” flu season for all age groups in seven years.
But how accurate are the tests, and who should take them? Northeastern Global News talked to Northeastern health experts to find out.
Most of the flu kits available for purchase at pharmacies and online are 10- or 15-minute rapid antigen tests similar to at-home COVID tests. Test takers use nasal swabs to check for flu A and B as well as COVID-19.
Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern’s master of public health program, says, “It’s always a good idea to get tested and know what you have if you suspect you might have one of these very contagious illnesses.”
“That also gives you information on the proper course of treatment for that particular illness,” he says.
Symptoms of flu and COVID-19 can overlap, making it hard to distinguish one from the other. Both illnesses can cause fever, fatigue, sore throat, muscle pain and headaches, says the CDC.
“The faster you can get an antiviral for the flu, the more effective it is going to be,” says Brandon Dionne, associate clinical professor in pharmacy and health systems sciences.
“It’s a great tool. You have a lot more options for trying to keep people safe and healthy,” says Samuel Scarpino, an expert in pathogen surveillance and director of Northeastern’s AI + Life Sciences.
