The National Institute of Virology (NIV) has created Indias first indigenous diagnostic kit to identify three illnesses in a single kit: COVID-19, influenza-A and influenza-B variants.

During flu season, the tool detects both the flu and COVID-19 using a nose and throat swab from patients. Influenza A, B, or SARS-CoV-2 infection causes nasal congestion, cough, headache, body pains, chills, sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and exhaustion.

Dr. Varsha Potdar, the kit will be a simple, time-saving, and efficient method of identifying three illnesses with a single test. On May 15, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) stated that it is now taking expressions of interest from companies interested in scaling up, manufacturing, and commercializing the novel technology.

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the first combination home test for the flu and COVID-19 in February 2023. The Lucira COVID-19 and Flu Home Test is available without a prescription in the United States and delivers results for both infections in 30 minutes using self-collected nose swab samples.

However, the FDA recommends that people report test findings to their healthcare professionals and seek follow-up care because there is a potential for false negatives and positives.

(Source:https://www.cnbctv18.com/healthcare/pune-national-institute-of-virology-develops-india-first-combination-flu-covid-test-kit-16739301.htm)