A headache, an attack of fatigue? What if it was the flu? COVID-19? A self-test available in pharmacies from Wednesday, November 27 allows you to explore these two routes in a single sample.
More precisely, the “All in triplex” marketed by the French group AAZ is used to detect these two viruses but also bronchiolitis. Three diseases that already circulate actively in the territory before the start of winter.
“With the same sample we will be able to detect the presence of three viruses, which does not require antibiotic therapy,” summarizes pharmacist Daniel Machover on BFMTV.
The way this little test works is it is less invasive than a traditional self-test for Covid-19. It is a small sponge that slides through the nostrils for “a few seconds”, as Fabien Larue, director of AAZ, explains to us.
A device already used by certain health professionals, and now available without a prescription, as revealed by Le Parisien. Its price is at the discretion of retailers, but the company recommends setting it at 10 euros. Wholesale distributors, who in turn supply pharmacies, have already received 15,000 doses each.
Effectiveness to be confirmed
For infectologist Thierry Prazuck, head of the infectious and tropical diseases service at the University Hospital of Orleans, this type of device saves time, especially for the most vulnerable:
“It has an impact both on diagnosis and on hygiene measures around the patient and on the rapid prescription of appropriate treatments.”
But these positive points only exist if there is effectiveness. The manufacturer offers impressive figures, including a sensitivity of 90%, that is, a nine out of ten chance of the test being positive when the person is sick. “(The test) was evaluated for a year in hundreds of pediatric centers in France,” says the director of the AAZ.
The High Health Authority (HAS) is more cautious. After two studies carried out in different hospitals, he observed “sensitivity levels significantly lower than those listed in the package insert.”
HAS indicates, however, that an additional study is being prepared to evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of these combined tests. It is also awaiting new data regarding antibiotic consumption and emergency room visits. What to rule out or confirm a future full refund?
Source: BFM TV
