Winter 2025 is marked by an increase in acute respiratory infections, with a notable incidence rate for influenza and Covid-19. To help the French cope with these winter epidemics, a new self-test capable of simultaneously detecting flu and Covid-19 has been available in pharmacies since Monday, December 15.
A quick diagnosis when faced with similar symptoms
Fever, headache, severe fatigue, runny nose… It is often very difficult to distinguish the flu from Covid-19, because their symptoms are almost identical. This new self-test offers a quick solution: after a nasal swab, the result appears within a few minutes.
The device uses differentiated marking: two blue lines indicate a Covid-19 infection, while two green lines indicate the flu.
This home diagnosis allows rapid identification of the pathogen in question, facilitating the first step in treatment.
A tool for autonomy and desaturation of emergencies
With 25,000 self-tests initially deployed, the public health objective is twofold. This involves limiting unnecessary medical consultations for simple cases in order to relieve emergency services and practices.
It also aims to promote patient autonomy in their initial care journey, with the support of the pharmacist. For people without signs of seriousness and without risk factors, this self-test, sold at the price of 7.95 euros, is an excellent guidance and advice tool. It makes it possible to quickly ensure the diagnosis and adopt the first appropriate measures such as rest, symptomatic treatment and isolation.
Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor, recalls that these pathologies are similar. “The orientation and treatment of these diseases are the same: symptomatic (paracetamol, rest, mask on the nose, etc.) and not etiological.. However, he qualifies, “knowing the virus in question is less important than the frailty of the patients and the severity of the symptoms.
When to worry and how to protect yourself?
In short, while the self-test is a useful diagnostic tool, it does not replace medical advice in the event of severe symptoms or fragility.
Frail people (elderly, immunocompromised, suffering from chronic illnesses) or those showing signs of seriousness (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, persistent fever) should consult quickly.
Dr. Kierzek states that in this sense, “the pulse oximeter (oxygen saturation in the blood) is much more relevant for detecting potential seriousness and directing to the emergency room.”
Even if, at the same time, he would not want us to go back into a costly madness of tests, he admits that they remain an important means of protecting the most vulnerable. “Covid in particular continues to scare as the holidays approach. Without turning into an obsession by increasing the number of tests, they can reassure the families of very vulnerable individuals.” he concludes.