A new test available in pharmacies since the end of 2024 makes it possible to diagnose flu, Covid-19, and the virus that causes bronchiolitis at the same time.
In winter, many viruses circulate and it is very difficult not to get sick. Among the most common viruses, we find the flu which causes a major epidemic every year, but also RSV, which causes bronchiolitis, and Covid-19. All of these respiratory viral infections cause symptoms that may be similar: fever, headache, cough, fatigue, etc. When you are sick, it can be difficult to know which virus is causing these symptoms.
To meet this need, individual diagnostic tests exist, and since November 2024, a new test is even available in pharmacies. “ALL IN TRIPLEX”, marketed by the AAZ laboratory, makes it possible to detect flu, Covid-19, and the bronchiolitis virus at the same time. It is possible to use it yourself, and it is suitable for children. It can also be carried out by pharmacists, doctors or nurses. In just 15 minutes, it is possible to know if you are infected with the flu, Covid-19 or bronchiolitis. Another advantage of this test: it is not painful, since it is not pushed far into the nose. Its price is estimated at 10 euros, even if pharmacies are free to set their prices.
Practical ? Apparently yes, but in 2023, the High Authority of Health has still expressed doubts about the benefit of this test. The treatments for influenza, Covid-19 and bronchiolitis are in fact the same: they are only symptomatic treatments (apart from certain specific cases for people at risk), such as paracetamol against fever and cough syrup.
However, it is useful to know if the symptoms are caused by a viral disease, in order to avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily. “The use of these tests could contribute to reducing the consumption of antibiotics in the city, which remains high,” estimated the High Authority of Health. A positive self-test for influenza, for example, could also allow certain people not to consult a health professional, since the treatment is available without a prescription.
