Do I Have Covid or Another Respiratory Virus?

Everyone says 2020 is a year like no other; work, school, home life, all disrupted by a pandemic.

Now imagine what the upcoming flu season could be like. Some health care officials say the mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing recommended to stop the spread of COVID-19 may make for an easier flu season.

But what if it doesn’t? Flu season combined with a pandemic could really be challenging because cough, fever, and aches are all symptoms of COVID-19, the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). How does a patient or doctor know what to do or what treatment regime to follow?

There’s finally some good news in this challenging year.

A test that does it all

Burlington, North Carolina, based LabCorp has developed the first testing method to simultaneously detect for all three illnesses: COVID-19, influenza A/B and RSV.

The single test for multiple infections can help doctors diagnose patients and decide on treatment options. For now, the test is only available to patients through doctors, hospitals and other authorized healthcare providers. LabCorp has filed for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an at-home test version.

“The U.S. is facing the most challenging health crisis in a century and is about to enter flu season, which has the potential to put additional strain on our healthcare system and cost lives,” said Brian Caveney, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and President of LabCorp Diagnostics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there were between 39 to 56 million flu illnesses in the most recent flu season, which runs roughly between October 1, 2019 and April 4, 2020. Those illnesses resulted in an estimated 18 to 26 million medical visits. The COVID-19 pandemic could increase those visits dramatically, putting an even greater strain on the nation’s healthcare system.

New test could ease the strain

“Individuals infected with COVID-19, influenza A/B, or RSV, often experience similar symptoms of cough, fever, chest tightness, and body aches, providing a potential surge of patients seeking testing,” Caveney adds. “Leveraging our scientific and technological expertise to simultaneously test for four major respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, will provide doctors a simple, efficient way to diagnose their patients.”