Protect Yourself with Testing, Vaccines
Testing plus vaccines has always been our best bet to finally put an end to this pandemic and fully return to life.
Because "both flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to others by people before they begin showing symptoms; by people with very mild symptoms; and by people who never experience symptoms (asymptomatic people)," the CDC recommends the COVID vaccine plus a flu shot: "Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time."
And, because the flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses can present similarly, "testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis," the CDC advises. "People can be infected with both flu and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time."
Testing can take place on your own or at your doctor's office.
BinaxNOW is the most widely used and studied rapid antigen test in the U.S. It provides results within 15 minutes and is authorized in three different ways. You can 1) buy it over the counter from your local retailer such as CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens and Walmart; 2) have it proctored at-home; or 3) get tested from your healthcare professional at a doctor's office or community testing site to determine if you have COVID-19.
You can also ask your healthcare provider for Alinity m Resp-4-Plex's simultaneous testing or your urgent care or pharmacy for an ID NOW rapid molecular test to screen for …
- Influenza types A and B.
- RSV, a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, common-cold-type symptoms but can be severe for both young infants and older adults.
- And, of course, COVID-19.
We remain ever vigilant monitoring COVID's viral strains and you can have confidence that our tests are designed to detect variants such as Delta, Mu, R.1 and more.
This story was originally published on September 27, 2021 and updated on June 15, 2022.