What is the SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A + B Rapid Combo Self-Test used for?
The BoironSARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A + B Rapid Combo Self-Test is an essential tool for anyone who wants to quickly and easily check forCOVID-19 or influenza A/B. This test uses a nasal swab to provide results in just a few minutes. It is specially designed for those who want to act quickly when symptoms appear or who want to check their health status after a high-risk exposure. In just a few simple steps, you can find out if you are carrying SARS-CoV-2, the influenza A virus, or the influenza B virus.
The test’s effectiveness is based on the detection of specific antigens present in upper respiratory tract samples. It is an ideal test for times of public health uncertainty, allowing users to take the necessary steps, whether that means self-isolation or consulting a doctor. Positive results indicate the presence of viral antigens, but it is essential to interpret them in conjunction with clinical information and other diagnostic tests.
This test is not limited to symptomatic individuals. It is also intended for asymptomatic individuals who wish to ensure they are not carrying the virus—for example, before visiting loved ones or resuming social activities. With this combined test, you have the advantage of checking your status for multiple respiratory viruses in a single test, making it easier to make a quick decision when in doubt.
Using such a self-test is not only a measure of personal prevention but also a way to contribute to public safety. By getting a result quickly, you can limit the potential spread of the virus among those around you. However, negative results should not be taken lightly. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist despite a negative result, as viruses can sometimes evade detection in the early days of infection.
Thisrapid test is your essential ally for navigating this period of health uncertainty with peace of mind. Easy to use, fast, and effective, it allows you to act immediately, protect others, and take care of yourself.
Detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 or the flu. We recommend taking a preventive treatment to avoid catching the flu virus, in the form of easy-to-take homeopathic granules.
Direct detection that identifies SARS-CoV-2 or flu virus proteins in nasopharyngeal secretions. Highly specific, making it suitable for front-line use (screening processes, rapid patient triage, outpatient diagnostic support, etc.).
A simpler and more cost-effective test device that does not require heavy equipment compared to RT-PCR tests.
The Flu/SARS-CoV-2 Ag self-test detects the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus or the influenza virus in a patient’s nasopharyngeal secretions.
Overview of the Antigen Self-Test for Coronavirus or Influenza
The BoironFlu/COVID-19 Self-Test, available at your online organic pharmacy, is aself-test using a nasal swab.
- Detects antigens of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19
- Nasopharyngeal swab
- Results in 15 minutes
Coronavirus screening test using a self-administered nasal swab
The COVID-19 /Fluself-test is performed using a simple nasal swab. Minimally invasive and painless, it allows you to test yourself or with someone’s help from home, without needing to go to a medical laboratory or pharmacy for an in-person test.
Apart from the sample collection, the process is similar to the antigen tests available at pharmacies. For the COVID-19/Flu self-test, the sample is taken from the nose: simply swab the inside of the nostril, 4 centimeters past the entrance to the nostril.
When should you use the Boiron COVID-19/Flu Self-Test?
The COVID-19 self-test confirms the presence of the virus when the test is positive. Its main advantage is the speed with which results are available (15 minutes).
Guidelines for using COVID-19 and flu self-tests
How do you perform a rapid test to detect SARS-CoV-2 or influenza antigens, which cause COVID-19 or the flu?
Antigen tests performed at pharmacies, on the other hand, require a nasopharyngeal swab—a much deeper and more invasive procedure that can sometimes make the test difficult to perform.
This combination test is easy to use and takes only a few minutes, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to get reliable results. Here’s how to do it:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before you begin. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Remove the cap from the tube containing the extraction buffer solution and carefully place it in the box’s holder.
- Open the pouch containing the sterile swab and remove it without touching the soft tip.
- Collect your nasal sample by gently inserting the swab into one nostril until you feel slight resistance. Rotate it several times against the nasal walls. Repeat the process in the other nostril.
- Insert the swab into the extraction tube, mix thoroughly, then remove the swab while squeezing firmly to collect the sample.
- Place 3 drops of the extracted sample into the designated well on the test cassette.
After 10 minutes, you can read the results. A positive result will show two colored lines, while a negative result will show only a single control line. If you are unsure, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional.
Share your feedback on the instructions for use and dosage of the SARS-COV-2 & INFLUENZA A + B RAPID COMBO SELF-TEST with our partner “Verified Reviews” after your purchase.
If the coronavirus test is positive
A positive result confirms infection, indicating a significant viral load. The person is therefore infected and can transmit the virus to others. The self-test has very high specificity, meaning there are no false positives. There is no need to confirm the result with a PCR test.
- If my test is positive, I’ll take my temperature twice a day and won’t take any anti-inflammatory drugs or ibuprofen without my doctor’s advice.
- I’ll avoid contact with other people in my household or where I live. If possible, I won’t touch them. I won’t kiss them.
- I do not allow anyone from outside my household to visit my home, except for healthcare providers or caregivers, and I stay in a separate room if possible.
- I do not share my bed, and I eat my meals alone in my room.
- I wash my hands very often with soap and water and dry them with a personal towel or a disposable hand towel.
- When I cough, I blow my nose into a tissue, which I then throw away.
- I regularly ventilate and clean my home. I do not share my everyday items: towels and washcloths, soap, utensils, plates, phone, etc.
- I dispose of any waste that may be contaminated in a designated, sturdy plastic bag, which I seal and keep at home for 24 hours. I then throw it away in the non-recyclable trash bin.
- For any questions related to my health, I call my doctor.
- If I’m alone, feeling anxious, and need answers, I call the toll-free mental health helpline: 0800 130 000.
If the antigen test is negative
- On an individual basis, a negative result does not rule out the possibility that the person is carrying SARS-CoV-2, due to the low sensitivity of these tests.
- From a community perspective, it is absolutely essential to continue protecting yourself and others by following preventive measures.
- If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 but a negative test result, you must take a PCR test, which is more sensitive.
Contents of the Self-Test Kit
- 1 test cassette
- 1 pre-filled buffer tube
- 1 sterile swab (CE0197)
- 1 filter tip
- 1 sample rack
- 1 user manual
Precautions for Use
When using this self-test, be sure to follow a few essential precautions. Do not touch the soft tip of the swab to avoid contamination. If you are testing a child, be gentle and patient, adjusting the depth of the swab insertion as needed. Also, be sure to properly dispose of the test materials after use, in accordance with local medical waste disposal guidelines.
Remember that this is a single-use, in vitro self-test. Follow the procedure carefully and do not reuse a kit, even if another member of your household wishes to be tested. Finally, never ingest the buffer solution and keep it out of the reach of children.
Composition and Packaging of the SARS-CoV-2 & INFLUENZA A + B RAPID COMBO SELF-TEST
The SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A + B Rapid Combo Self-Test contains everything you need to perform a complete test at home. The kit includes:
- Test cassette
- Package insert
- Sterile swab
- Extraction buffer solution
The test is compact and easy to use, making it ideal for use at home or on the go. Each component is carefully packaged to ensure optimal hygiene and safe use.
To contribute to and support the collective effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Boiron is offering rapid tests designed to screen for and monitor the immune status of individuals who may be infected with the virus.
Our Advice and Expert Opinions from Pharmacists on COVID-19
COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV), SARS-CoV-2
- A positive antigen test = a COVID-19 infection
- A negative antigen test = an indeterminate result
- A negative antigen test providesonly a false sense of security.
Good to know:
- Please note that self-tests without a CE mark (or with a counterfeit CE mark) sold on e-commerce sites offer no guarantee of quality.
- The quality of the nasopharyngeal swab is crucial. A poorly performed swab (for example, inserting the swab too far into the upper part of the nose) may not collect enough secretions and virus and could lead to a false negative.
- The second important point is the timing of the test. It is generally accepted that the incubation period for COVID-19 averages5 days after coming into contact with an infected person. During these 5 days, the“newly infected person” is asymptomatic; it is only after this period that symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, or muscle aches will appear. It has been shown that a PCR test typically does not become positive until within 48 hours before clinical symptoms appear. Therefore, a person who takesa nasopharyngeal self-testtoo earlywill havea negative PCR result because their viral load will be too low. That is why, if you have taken a COVID-19 self-test that came back negative while you are asymptomatic, it is recommended that you repeat the test using a PCR test 5 days after coming into contact with someone who is sick. The virus is generally cleared from the body within 10 days.
COVID-19 Prevention: Protect yourself and others by staying informed and taking the appropriate precautions. Follow the advice of local health authorities.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, follow these recommendations:
- Wash your hands frequently. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep your distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- If you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with the crook of your elbow or a tissue.
- Stay home if you don’t feel well.
- See a healthcare professional if you have a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing.
- Call the healthcare provider in advance. This will allow them to quickly direct you to the appropriate healthcare facility. This protects you and helps prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
Protective masks can help prevent people who wear them from transmitting the virus to others. Wearing a mask alone does not protect against COVID-19. It must be combined with physical distancing and hand hygiene measures. Follow the advice of local health authorities.
To date, three COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca) have been granted marketing authorization in Europe. Their use in France follows the vaccination strategy established by national health authorities.
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