Toda Pharma, a Strasbourg company, recently developed an antigenic test that can detect two pathologies: influenza A or B and Covid-19.
- Nearly 19,242 emergency room visits for flu syndrome were recorded as of December 28, according to Public Health France.
- The flu can lead to serious complications in populations at risk: pneumonia, aggravation of an existing chronic disease, etc.
For several weeks, French hospitals have been fighting a triple epidemic of Covid-19, bronchiolitis and influenza. “Today, I don’t know what word to use. Every time I come, I say it’s not going well. We don’t know if the words mean anything, but the situation is extremely tense in the hospitals. “had lamented Rémi Salomon, president of the Conference of Presidents of the Medical Commission for the establishment of university hospitals, on the set of BFMTV-RMCon December 21.
In most cases, the flu is characterized by high fever, cough, sore throat, extreme fatigue or muscle pain. Symptoms similar to those of the coronavirus. The two infections can therefore be difficult to differentiate without a screening test.
An antigen test to identify influenza and Covid-19
New antigenic tests have recently been developed to detect Covid-19 and influenza. A step forward which makes it possible to adapt treatment according to the pathology diagnosed. “It’s real progress.[…]This makes it possible to prescribe less antibiotics and to justify it to the patient. It is an excellent therapeutic education tool. confided Jean-Paul Hamon, honorary president of the Federation of Doctors of France, to the Sunday newspaper (JDD). These rapid diagnostic tests consist of taking a sample through the nose with a swab. Results are usually available in 15-30 minutes.
Since December 2022, Toda Pharma, a Strasbourg company specializing in the manufacture of rapid diagnostics, has been marketing an antigenic test called “Toda Fluronadiag” which can detect Covid-19 and influenza A or B. “The results come in 15 minutes. It’s the same principle as an antigenic test that we know. A single long cotton swab in the nose is enough to detect the two pathologies”explained Sébastien Spiss, the company’s communications manager, to France 3 Great East.
Is the “Toda Fluronadiag” test covered by Social Security?
The reliability rate for the “Toda Fluronadiag” is 96% for Covid-19 and 99% for influenza A or B. “The sample is the same, it is nasal mucus that we will recover, and that we will not only migrate on a strip which will detect the antigens of Covid, but also the antigens of the flu”underlined Fabien Larue, director of the AAZ laboratory, responsible for the production of this test.
For the time being, antigenic tests detecting influenza and Covid-19 are not reimbursed by Social Security. In pharmacies, a rapid screening test costs 5 euros. According to information from France Infothe French National Authority for Health (HAS) is currently evaluating the “Toda Fluronadiag” test with a view to potential reimbursement.
