The need for rapid accurate diagnosis of several respiratory infections simultaneously is emphasised by research published in The Lancet last week that shows that people who are infected both by Covid‑19 and influenza face a double risk of death.

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The research carried out by European universities including Imperial College found that unvaccinated patients infected with the two viruses were 2.3 times more likely to die and 4.1 times more likely to require a ventilator compared with those only infected with Covid‑19.

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Diagnosis of which respiratory viruses are infecting the patient is crucial especially as there is no increased risk of severe illness for those with both Covid‑19 and RSV or other respiratory viruses.

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ProtonDx has developed a rapid (<30min), accurate (PCR equivalent) portable (hand held) diagnostic test for several pathogens at the same time. It can be used at point of care and does not require a laboratory.

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Its respiratory test panel, Dragonfly, is designed to identify simultaneously Influenza A, Influenza B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Rhinovirus as well as SARS‑CoV‑2.

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As Dragonfly distinguishes between infections and indicates if a patient has more than one, it provides timely information which leads to earlier and better treatment stratagems.