The Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home test, which can be purchased without a prescription, uses self-collected nasal swab samples and provides results in approximately 30 minutes.
While home COVID tests are readily available, this is the first home test for influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu. This test is for people with signs and symptoms consistent with a respiratory tract infection and can be used in children as young as 2 years old through adults.
It recommends that tests be reported to healthcare providers and cautions that there is a risk of false positive and negative results. People who test negative and continue to experience symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath may still have a respiratory infection and should seek follow-up care with their health care provider.
The FDA said it recognizes the benefits home testing can provide and would work to increase the number of tests available.