GETTING a cough, fever or sore throat at this time of year could be down to any number of things, from a common cold to Covid-19.
With a new strain of swine flu being detected in the UK – and experts sayings there’s likely more than one case of it – that’s another virus added to the mix.
A person tested positive for a never-before-seen strain of swine flu called influenza A(H1N2)v after visiting their GP in North Yorkshire and taking a PCR test.
They hadn’t come into contact with pigs but the virus was similar to ones currently circulating in the animals.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the H1N2 swine flu strain can cause the following symptoms:
Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan, clinical lead at London Medical Laboratory, added that people with swine flu might also experience a loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea, in a recent press release.
But she noted that symptoms caused by the new swine flu virus “are very similar to seasonal flu and also some strains of Covid-19 and to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)”.
If you’re left scratching your head about the cause of your symptoms, health experts have suggested you take “revolutionary” test that can spot the difference between Covid-19, RSV and influenza A and B.
It comes with a hefty price tag though – £169 – and is only available privately at present.
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The London Medical Laboratory said its test can be taken at 95 selected pharmacies, drop-in clinics and health stores nationwide. You can find a full list of the places they’re sold here.
Otherwise, you can also order the test online to be delivered to your home.
Dr Narayanan said: “The current strains of flu that are circulating may produce only mild illness in one person but may cause severe symptoms and even prove fatal to others.
“This is particularly important in people with pre-existing health conditions and long-term diseases. Similarly, while the RSV virus may only produce chesty cold symptoms in some people, it can severely affect elderly people and children.
“All of these viruses, including swine flu, display very similar initial symptoms to the common cold, but these symptoms may quickly escalate.”
Takign a test to identify which virus is causing your symptoms could bring “peace of mind” to some or ensure “they are not endangering anyone in their family this festive season”, the clinical lead claimed.
The fact that the UKHSA is still working to ascertain the source of the H1N2 strain spotted in the North Yorkshire resident is another reason people might want to get tested, Dr Narayanan added.
Where else can I get these test?
The 95 pharmacies and clinics aren’t the only place you can take a test telling the difference between the viruses.
Online pharmacy Chemist Connect sells a kit by the brand CordX that claims to test for Covid, influenza A and B and RSV.
It carries a much lower price tag too – £37.95, along with a delivery charge. Granted, that’s still a fair amount pay for a test.
Alternatively, you can nab Flowflex Flu Test and Covid Test Bundle at your local Boots.
It won’t be able to test for RSV – but you’ll only have to shell out £4 for the two kits that come in the bundle.
You can buy a five-pack of Influenza A/B Rapid Test at Tesco for £12.
You can’t get a free Covid-19 PCR test any more and rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people.
But according to NHS guidance, you might be eligible to get them for free if:
- You have a health condition which means you’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid
- You work in healthcare settings or in a hospice
What symptoms do flu, RSV and Covid cause?
RSV is an extremely common virus that most kids will pick up at some point before they’re two, NHS guidance states.
In most cases, the virus will cause mild, cold-like symptoms, such as:
As for Covid, the Zoe Covid Symptom Study that collects data on self-reported symptoms in the UK, said the ten most common symptoms currently are:
- A sore throat
- A runny nose
- A blocked nose
- Sneezing
- A cough without phlegm
- A headache
- A cough with phlegm
- A hoarse voice
- Muscle aches and pains
- An altered sense of smell
Finally, flu symptoms – which can come on very quickly, according to the NHS – include:
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- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
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Eliza Loukou
