A test suite that directly targets ordinary consumers and detects a variety of different respiratory viruses, including covid-19 and influenza, has been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The test is the first of its kind approved by the FDA, allowing consumers to obtain such a diagnosis without a doctor or prescription.
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The prevalence of covid-19 has fundamentally changed the way we obtain diagnostic tests. Covid-19's rapid antigen test allows people to test for sars-cov-2 infection without seeing a doctor. Now the U.S. Food and drug administration has approved the first home test kit that can distinguish several respiratory viruses.
The test kit is provided by labcorp, a life sciences company, to find traces of influenza A and B, sars-cov-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Different from the common rapid antigen test, this new test uses more traditional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology. This means that it needs to send nasal swabs to the laboratory for analysis.
The kit, known as labcorp seasonal respiratory virus RT-PCR DTC test, will be available in stores or online without prescription. Users will complete a nasal swab at home, send the sample to the nearest labcorp laboratory, and obtain the results through an online platform within one to three days after the laboratory receives the sample.
Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA Center for equipment and radiological health, said: "although the FDA has now authorized many prescription free covid-19 test kits, this is the first one authorized for influenza and RSV and covid-19 testing. Individuals can determine their needs for testing, order, collect their samples and send them to the laboratory for testing without consulting health care professionals.".
The test obviously cannot quickly return test results to guide immediate treatment or isolation decisions, but knowing whether the infection is covid, influenza or even RSV will be valuable in the long run. Shuren said that the FDA is seeking to expand such direct consumer oriented diagnostic methods. In the future, it hopes to have a fast version of the test for people to diagnose themselves immediately at home.