Differentiate COVID-19/FLU A&B and maneuver through the infection wave with PanbioTM

Differentiate COVID-19/FLU A&B with PanbioTM and maneuver through the wave of infection – DocCheck

The annual flu epidemic is an integral part of everyone’s life.¹ Usually.

In the 2020/2021 season, however, there was no flu epidemic.^1,2 Only at the beginning of this year did it return to normal.

At the same time, the corona virus is rampant and new virus variants are increasingly infecting the population.³Therefore, there is great concern about a severe wave of infections that could hit us in the near future.⁴ Not only infection with one of the two pathogens, but also simultaneous infection with Sars-CoV-2 and influenza A or B promotes the development of more severe disease courses.⁵ This must be prevented in order to be able to continue to guarantee patient care and to avoid a collapse in health care.⁶Rapid identification and differentiation of both pathogens at the point of care is extremely important. In this way, the infection process can be better tracked and contained.

Into the future with rapid test-supported diagnostics

There Panbio^TM COVID-19/Flu A&B rapid test is an immunochromatographic test method for the qualitative detection of Sars-CoV-2, Influenza A and Influenza B pathogens. Within 15 minutes and with just one sampling, the test indicates whether an acute infection is present from one, both or all three pathogens. The test reliably distinguishes between the 3 pathogens with a high sensitivity and specificity (80 – 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity depending on the pathogen to be detected).

Table 1: Panbio^TM COVID-19/Flu A&B efficiency

	sensitivity	specificity	sensitivity (95% CI)	specificity (95% CI)
Sars-CoV-2	88%	100%	80 – 93,6%	98,2 – 100%
Influenza A	92%	100%	80,8 – 97,8%	98,2 – 100%
Influenza B	100%	100%	92,9 – 100%	98,2 – 100%

The rapid test should be carried out by qualified medical personnel. The test is therefore suitable for use in the practice or in clinics. With the panbio^TM COVID-19/Flu A&B rapid test, fast and efficient treatment decisions and isolation measures can be made for the benefit of patients and healthcare professionals. Rapid identification of the virus counteracts uncontrolled virus spread and serves to improve protection against infection. It also promotes correct patient management and prompt initiation of the right therapy.

Targeted screening for corona and influenza viruses is an important tool for effective infection management. It is still the case that hygiene measures such as thorough hand washing, compliance with the sneeze label and wearing medical masks in local public transport significantly reduce the spread of SARS-COV-2 and influenza viruses.⁷

Panbio^TM COVID-19/Flu A&B at a glance

immunochromatographic rapid test method
qualitative evaluation (visual)
the result is available in 15 minutes
the rapid test has high sensitivity and specificity
most known interfering substances (eg albumine, dexamethasone, blood, hemoglobin) have no influence on the reliability of the result
the test can reliably distinguish between Sars-Cov-2, influenza A and influenza B (there were no cross-reactions in the test field between the three pathogens)

More information about the Panbio^TM Find COVID-19/Flu A&B rapid test here.

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