Current:Home > ScamsFDA authorizes the first at-home test for COVID-19 and the flu-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
FDA authorizes the first at-home test for COVID-19 and the flu
View Date:2024-12-23 18:39:50
The Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization on Friday for the first at-home test that can simultaneously detect both COVID-19 and the flu.
With a shallow nasal swab, the single-use kit can provide results within 30 minutes indicating whether a person is positive or negative for COVID, as well as influenza A and influenza B, which are two common strains of the flu.
People 14 and older can generally perform the test on themselves, the FDA says. Those between the ages of 2 and 13 can get results with the help of an adult.
Dr. Jeff Shuren, the director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, called the test as a "major milestone."
"We are eager to continue advancing greater access to at-home infectious disease testing to best support public health needs," Shuren said in a statement.
The test was developed by Lucira Health, a California-based company that was also the first to receive FDA approval for at-home rapid COVID tests back in 2020.
According to the FDA, in people showing symptoms, the Lucira home kit accurately detected 88.3% of COVID infections and 90.1% of influenza A infections. The test can identify influenza B in lab studies, the FDA said. But because there are not enough cases of the virus circulating in real-world settings, further testing will be required, officials said.
The FDA also warned that, similar to all rapid diagnostic tests, there is a risk of false positive and false negative results. The agency says individuals who test positive for COVID or the flu should take appropriate precautions and follow-up with a health care provider, while people who receive a negative result of either COVID or influenza B should confirm it with a molecular test preformed in a lab.
Individuals who test negative but continue to experience symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath should also follow up with their health care provider in case of other respiratory viruses, the FDA said.
The dual-purposed test comes after a surge of COVID, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus -- or RSV — that strained hospitals across the country last fall.
"The collective impact of COVID-19, flu and RSV underscore the importance of diagnostic tests for respiratory viruses," the FDA said in a statement.
Over the past few weeks, COVID-related deaths and hospitalizations have begun to fall, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similarly, rates of flu and RSV-related hospitalizations have been going down, the CDC found.
veryGood! (7345)
Related
- Maine elections chief who drew Trump’s ire narrates House tabulations in livestream
- MLB power rankings: Yankees, Aaron Judge get comfortable in AL East penthouse
- The presidential campaign moves forward after another apparent attempt on Trump’s life
- Beaches in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia closed to swimmers after medical waste washes ashore
- My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
- Giants' Heliot Ramos becomes first right-handed batter to hit homer into McCovey Cove
- Oregon Republicans ask governor to protect voter rolls after DMV registered noncitizens
- Judge finds woman incompetent to stand trial in fatal stabbing of 3-year-old outside supermarket
- 32-year-old Maryland woman dies after golf cart accident
- Is ‘Judge Judy’ on the Supreme Court? Lack of civics knowledge leads to colleges filling the gap
Ranking
- Gisele Bündchen Makes First Major Appearance Since Pregnancy
- Musk deletes post about Harris and Biden assassination after widespread criticism
- 2024 Emmys: RuPaul’s Drag Race Stars Shut Down Claim They Walked Out During Traitors Win
- Taylor Swift Attends Patrick Mahomes’ Birthday Bash After Chiefs Win
- As Northeast wildfires keep igniting, is there a drought-buster in sight?
- Model Bianca Balti Shares Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
- Sofia Vergara's Stunning 2024 Emmys Look Included This $16 Beauty Product
- Fantasy football buy low, sell high: 10 trade targets for Week 3
Recommendation
-
Man who stole and laundered roughly $1B in bitcoin is sentenced to 5 years in prison
-
Two ex-fire chiefs in New York City charged in corruption scandal
-
Ulta & Sephora Flash Sales: 50% Off Coola Setting Spray, Stila Eyeshadow, Osea Night Cream & $11.50 Deals
-
The trial date for the New Orleans mayor’s ex-bodyguard has been pushed back to next summer
-
Study finds Wisconsin voters approved a record number of school referenda
-
Biggest moments at the 2024 Emmy Awards, from Candice Bergen to 'Shogun'
-
Caitlin Clark breaks WNBA rookie scoring record, Fever star now at 761 points
-
2024 Emmys: RuPaul’s Drag Race Stars Shut Down Claim They Walked Out During Traitors Win