Is it COVID or Flu? FDA Approves 1st Home Test for Both

A new at-home test will help people struggling with upper respiratory symptoms figure out whether they have COVID-19 or the flu.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lucira under an emergency use authorization (EUA) on Friday.

How the test works

“Today’s authorization of the first OTC [over-the-counter] test that can detect influenza A and B, along with SARS-CoV-2, is a major milestone in bringing greater consumer access to diagnostic tests that can be performed entirely at home,” Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in an agency news release. “The FDA strongly supports innovation in test development, and we are eager to continue advancing greater access to at-home infectious disease testing to best support public health needs.”

Those who have symptoms of a respiratory tract infection can collect a sample from their noses using a nasal swab and then swirling that in a vial of test solution. After 30 minutes, the test unit will show whether someone is positive for COVID or flu.

The test will be sold without a prescription. It can be used by anyone 14 and up or by an adult on children ages 2 and older.

The FDA notes that Lucira was accurate in 99.3% of negative samples and 90.1% of positive samples for influenza A and 100% of negative and 88.3% of positive COVID samples. It was 99.9% accurate for negative influenza B samples, but there was not enough circulating virus to determine how accurate it was for positive samples.

The study did confirm that the test can identify Influenza B in contrived specimens, according to the FDA. The EUA requires Lucira to continue collecting samples to study the test’s ability to detect Influenza B in real-world settings.

Follow-up and when to see a doctor

If you receive positive test results, you should share this information with your doctors, according to the FDA. You should also take precautions to avoid spreading the virus and seek follow-up care with a physician.