There is more than one sampling method to detect covid-19. Everyone should have heard of the nasopharyngeal swab test and oropharyngeal swab. Can you do it yourself? Or does it have to be done by a professional for you?
In this article you will learn:
What difference is between a nasal swab and a throat swab COVID-19 test?
The main steps to take the Covid Test Throat Swab test.
Which COVID test is more accurate, nasal or throat swab?
What difference is between a nasal swab and a throat swab COVID-19 test?
Swab Test
Sampling methods and location are different.
The accuracy rates of nucleic acid detection nasal swabs and throat swabs are usually similar, and the main difference lies in the sampling method and sampling site.
For nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal flocking swabs are mainly used to test the secretions from the inside of the nasal cavity and the surface of the nasal mucosa through the nasal cavity; In contrast, throat swabs are obtained by dipping pharyngeal specimens through the oral cavity. Tests are conducted to determine if the sampler is infected with the new coronavirus.
There are several different ways to test for COVID-19:
Testing for COVID-19 falls into two main categories:
1. Diagnostic test/diagnostic test: to detect whether you are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, also called viral swab test.
2. Antibody test/antibody test: It is used to detect whether you have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and cannot be used to diagnose whether you are currently infected.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test
- Nasal Swab A nasal swab is a method of examining the nasal passages to see if there is a bacterial or viral infection. The nasal swab is something similar to a sterile flocked swab, which is used for the collection of nasal specimens.
- Throat swab, also known as “oropharyngeal swab“, refers to using a sterilized medical long cotton swab to wipe a small number of secretions from the throat of the person to be tested, and then perform respiratory virus testing. A sample is taken from the back of the throat through the mouth.
- Nasopharyngeal swabs are actually relatively long nasopharyngeal flocked swabs, similar to longer sterilized cotton swabs.
- Its main function is to take nasopharyngeal secretions for bacterial culture and drug sensitivity tests. Go deep into the nose and collect a sample from the back of the nose or the back of the throat.
- Saliva swabs use a saliva sample to test for the COVID-19 virus. This is usually done by swabbing the oral area, such as the cheeks.
The rapid antigen tests that most people use in the U.S. and elsewhere are designed specifically for nasal swabs.
The main steps to take the Covid Test Throat Swab test.
Specimen collection crowd:
1. Patients with suspected pneumonia and suspected cluster cases of new coronavirus infection;
2. Others who need to be diagnosed or differentially diagnosed with new coronavirus infection;
3. Those returning to the city/returning to work without obvious symptoms (fever, respiratory symptoms) .
Before swab test sampling:
Preparation before throat swab: throat swab sampling tube (tube + swab), sealing bag with a size suitable for displaying the general biological hazard sign, tongue depressor, etc.
Check the label on the outside of the throat swab (whether there is a date, specification, whether the colour of the sampling liquid has deteriorated, whether it is turbid, whether there is sediment, etc., and also improve the information of the sampling tube, such as name, sampling unit, and paste the sampling number);
It is necessary to communicate with the examinee first, and inform the examinee in advance not to smoke, drink, or eat chewing gum or irritating or savoury food within 30 minutes before sampling.
If your test needs to try:
The swab crossed the base of the tongue and reached the pharyngeal stenosis, and quickly wiped the palatine arches and pharynx and tonsil secretions on both sides.
Drop the swab into the virus delivery medium, assist the cap to break the swab stem so that it is fully seated in the tube.
Tighten the cap of the tube, mark it well, put it in a plastic bag and seal it.
Submit the specimen for inspection in a timely manner.
Which COVID test is more accurate, nasal or throat swab?
Research is underway to determine the most accurate way to test for COVID-19, specifically using the Omicron variant. We do know that Omicron tends to stay in the upper airways rather than travel to the lower airways or lungs. Therefore, a throat swab may be more likely to find it. But again, research is still ongoing.
A recently published study suggests that saliva swabs may be more accurate in detecting Omicron variants than nasal swabs. But the study looked at PCR tests, not at-home rapid tests. So the results may not apply to home tests because these tests work differently. Another study found that PCR throat swabs were slightly better at detecting the virus than nasal swabs. But this research was done before the Omicron variant.
It is also important to note that throat swabs are more difficult to collect. If done incorrectly, the results may be inaccurate. At this point, it is best to wait until we have more data and leave the throat swab to the provider.
Notice
For the Omicron variant, a saliva test (and possibly a throat swab) may be more accurate than a nasal swab. But current rapid home tests are not designed for throat swabs. To avoid potentially false results, these tests should only be used as intended. Until we do more research, we can’t say for sure whether combining swabs with home testing is a good idea. When in doubt, consider a PCR test for more accurate results.
