Most of us have relied on the convenience of rapid testing for COVID as we moved into a new stage of ‘living’ with the virus in our community.

The Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) in Australia has now approved the use of a new home test kit that will also test for Influenza. Practically, the device will look like a rapid antigen test that we are all used to for COVID, but with the addition of an extra line that indicates the presence of influenza A or B.

Medical experts stress that home testing should never replace medical advice from your doctor and PCR testing but should only be used to identify potential infection to expedite treatment and minimise transmission to others.

The tests are likely to become available at pharmacies, online and at supermarkets.