Influenza A+B Rapid Test

The SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A+B Antigen Rapid Test is a lateral flow immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B protein antigens. This test is for professional in vitro diagnostic use only. This test is only for individuals with sign and symptoms of respiratory infection consistent with COVID-19 within the first six (6) days of symptom onset when tested at least twice over three days with at least 48 hours between tests.

Clinical signs and symptoms of respiratory viral infection due to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza can be similar. Results are for the simultaneous identification of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus protein antigens, but do not differentiate between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses and are not intended to detect influenza C antigens.

The viral antigens targeted by this test are generally detectable from specimens collected using nasal swabs during the acute phase of infection. Positive results indicate the presence of viral antigens, but the clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine infection status.

Positive results do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. The agent detected may not be the definitive cause of the disease. Individuals who test positive with the SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A+B Antigen Rapid Test should self-isolate and seek follow up care with their physician or healthcare provider as additional testing may be necessary.

All negative results are presumptive and confirmation with a molecular assay, if necessary for patient management, may be performed. Negative results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions, including infection control decisions such as isolating from others and wearing masks. Negative results should be considered in the context of an individual's recent exposures, history, and the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B infection.

Individuals who test negative and continue to experience SARS-CoV-2 and/or influenza-like symptoms of fever, cough and/or shortness of breath may still have SARS-CoV-2 and/or influenza infection and should seek follow up care with their physician or healthcare provider.

1. What are some differences between type A and type B flu?

Influenza A and influenza B have a lot in common. But there are some overarching differences between the two flu types. For example, influenza A usually accounts for more flu cases and causes more severe illness than type B flu. For example, flu A accounted for 96% of flu cases reported in late 2024.

Another difference is how the flu types affect kids. In children, influenza A is associated with more ear infections than influenza B, while influenza B is associated with more seizures, vomiting and diarrhea than influenza type A.

But the single most important difference is this: Influenza B flu only infects humans. Influenza A, on the other hand, can infect birds and mammals. This explains why antigenic shift can occur with influenza A, but not influenza B.

2. Antigenic shift and antigenic drift

"Antigenic shift occurs when bird or animal influenza A is transmitted to humans. This results in pandemics, since humans don't have specific immunity to these viral serotypes (groups of viruses)," shares Dr. Mossad.

Antigenic shift is the reason why influenza A can cause a pandemic. Both influenza A and influenza B can cause annual epidemics. Epidemics are declared when there are more cases of a specific disease than usual in a specific group of people. A pandemic happens when an epidemic affects thousands or even millions of people in several different countries or continents.

The 2009 A/H1N1 pandemic is an example of antigenic shift in action. In that case, an influenza A virus in pigs jumped to humans.

That leap launched the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic that infected millions of people worldwide. Antigenic shift is also why healthcare providers keep a close eye on the currently occurring rare cases of A/H5N1 bird flu.

Antigenic drift is the other way flu evolves. In antigenic drift, the flu viruses make tiny changes (genetic mutations) from year to year.

3. What do influenza A and influenza B have in common?

Those differences aside, influenza A and B have important things in common:

● They spread the same way and cause similar symptoms.

● Both types are also more likely to affect babies and older adults, causing more serious symptoms in these age groups.

● Healthcare providers treat both types of flu the same way.

4. Flu causes

An infection of the flu occurs when you come into contact with the flu virus. That can happen if you:

● Are near someone with the flu who coughs, sneezes or even talks to you (droplets moving through the air can get into your nose or mouth; those droplets then make their way to your lungs)

● Touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face, nose, mouth or eyes (the virus can live for up to 48 hours on hard surfaces like counters and desks, phones and computer keyboards)

● Touch the contaminated hands or face of someone with the flu and then touch your face, nose, mouth or eyes

5. Who's at risk for influenza A and influenza B?

Anyone can catch these viruses. But babies and older adults are more likely to have more severe symptoms.

Younger babies (age 6 months and younger) are more likely to get infected and more likely to have severe disease caused by influenza than older children.

Here's why: Every time germs like a flu virus invade your kid's body, their immune system adds details about the virus to its invader database and develops antibodies to protect against future invasions.

Older kids are more likely to have run into more flu viruses than babies, so their immune systems are better trained to fend off these viruses. That means they'll likely have less serious flu symptoms than babies. And older children often get the flu shot during their annual check-up with their pediatrician. The vaccine isn't approved for babies 6 months and younger.

Influenza A and influenza B can cause serious complications in people aged 65 or older. They may have more severe flu symptoms or develop a serious illness like pneumonia or myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).

The risk for severe influenza-related illness is higher in older people because they're more likely to have chronic diseases that worsen with flu. The CDC reports that 9 of 10 people hospitalized for complications of flu had an underlying condition, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

6. Flu symptoms

In general, you feel lousy whether you have influenza A or influenza B. Unlike the common cold that can creep up on you, flu symptoms hit right away, and they hit hard. Both influenza A and influenza B typically kick off with a fever. Next, comes any combination of symptoms like:

● Headache

● Cough

● Chills

● Diarrhea or vomiting (usually only in kids)

● Fatigue

● Muscle aches

● Runny or stuffy nose (congestion)

● Sore throat

Hot Tags: influenza a+b rapid test, China influenza a+b rapid test manufacturers, suppliers, factory