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The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first combination test for flu and COVID-19 that can be used at home.

The over-the-counter test from Lucira Health can detect influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the FDA.

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No prescription is needed to buy the test, which uses nasal swab samples and displays results in 30 minutes or less.

At-home COVID tests have been available for some time now, but this is the first home test for flu. The FDA granted Lucira an emergency use authorization for the new test.

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Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said authorization of the test "is a major milestone in bringing greater consumer access to diagnostic tests that can be performed entirely at home.”

The FDA cautioned that as with all rapid diagnostic tests, there is a risk of false positive and false negative results. Anyone testing positive should take steps to reduce the chances of spreading the illness and follow up with their doctor as soon as possible.

If someone tests negative, but still has fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should also follow up with a doctor.

It's unclear when the test will be available to consumers. Many private insurers and Medicare have paid for at-home COVID tests during the pandemic. It's unknown how the end of the COVID public health emergency in May will also affect consumers' access to the new test.

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People who had been eligible for free at-home tests may have to pay for them once the emergency ends, the New York Times reported.

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