How Combined COVID-19 and Flu Testing Can Help Prevent a “Twindemic”

Reduce the Spread and Severity of Illness Through Early Intervention

Although COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates are improving, roughly 40% of the U.S. population remains unvaccinated and the danger of the virus resurging remains. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine remains the number one preventative measure against contracting the virus but identifying cases and contact tracing when they occur are critical measures for keeping infection rates on a downward trend. In addition, the state of the pandemic is further compromised by the yearly flu season, which is forecast to be even more unpredictable than in years past.

As the status of the pandemic — or perhaps the “twindemic” as the pandemic and flu season converge — remains ominous and unclear, the need for COVID-19 testing becomes that much more important. It is critical for clinicians and patients respectively to give and receive diagnoses that are swift and accurate to make acute treatment and management decisions.

Testing is particularly invaluable as the clinical overlap between COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory viruses is very similar. Patients who used to ask, “Do I have a cold or the flu?” will now likely ask, “Do I have COVID-19 or the flu?” Combined rapid antigen testing can help combat a twindemic as it is effective in diagnosing both COVID-19 and the flu quickly and accurately.

Learning Objectives

This webinar will help you:

• Understand the continued role antigen testing will play in managing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic
• Recognize the clinical overlap between COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory viruses, and how early intervention can reduce spread and severity of illness
• Learn how combined SARS-CoV-2 and flu A+B testing works, and how to implement it at your facility
• Help determine if current patient intake protocols are providing the best treatment possible with an emerging flu season

Watch on Demand       Download Slides (PDF, 724KB)

This webinar is produced by Whitehat Communications, a provider of continuing education programs in clinical laboratory sciences that has been approved by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.™ Program. One P.A.C.E. credit hour will be provided for this complimentary, basic-level program.

Joseph Mann, MSN, FNP-C, Global Medical Science Liaison, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions, BD

Joseph Mann is a medical science liaison working in scientific affairs for Integrated Diagnostic Solutions at BD Life Sciences. He is a board-certified family nurse practitioner licensed in the state of Maryland. Since joining BD, Joseph has collaborated with cross-functional BD teams to provide medical affairs support and guidance for both molecular and rapid point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.

Megan Wimmer, Associate Director, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, BD

Megan Wimmer has worked at BD Life Sciences for over 10 years and is an Associate Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research. Prior to BD, she worked in academia, specializing in data analysis, computational modeling, and infectious disease epidemiology. She earned a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and biochemistry, and a Master of Business Administration with a healthcare marketing concentration from the Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business.