The epidemic is sporadic in China, and new confirmed cases have emerged in many areas, so many places are asking for nucleic acid testing again.

1. What is the difference between nucleic acid test nasal swabs and pharyngeal swabs?

Different sampling methods and sites

The accuracy of nucleic acid testing nasal swabs and pharyngeal swabs is usually about the same, but the main difference lies in the sampling method and sampling site differences.

For the nasal swab is mainly through the pharyngeal swab through the nasal cavity to dip the nasal cavity and nasal mucous membrane surface secretions to test; while the pharyngeal swab is through the pharyngeal swab through the oral cavity to dip the pharyngeal specimen to test, to determine whether the sampler is infected with the new coronavirus.

2. Do both pharyngeal and nasal swabs need to be done?

In principle, it is not necessary to do both. Pharyngeal swabs and nasal swabs are two methods of collecting specimens, and there is no difference in essence if they are done in a standardized manner, both are done to collect specimens from the pharynx, the difference is that one enters from the mouth and the other from the nose.

For pharyngeal swabs sampler can see the sampled site, but may bring nausea, vomiting and other reactions, and because the pharyngeal virus content is affected by diet, drinking and swallowing movements, so it will affect the positive detection rate of pharyngeal swabs to a certain extent, but there is no need for two sampling methods at the same time.

3. Who is not suitable for nasal swabbing?

In the collection of nasal swab specimens, the swab will enter through the nasal cavity, which will cause less irritation to the mucosa if the operation is standardized, but because the sampling position of the pharynx cannot be seen and the main reliance is on the hand to feel the resistance, nasal swabs are not recommended for patients suffering from sinusitis and allergic rhinitis to avoid damage to the nasal cavity.

4. How to overcome the difficulty of pharyngeal swab?

When collecting pharyngeal swab specimens, pharyngeal swabs will cause some stimulation to the pharynx, and for some people with more sensitive pharynx may have nausea and vomiting reactions, it is recommended to relax well before collecting the specimens and not to be too nervous.

When you feel uncomfortable in the throat after the collection, you should eat less spicy and oily food, drink more water, eat more vegetables and fruits, and arrange for proper rest, and generally speaking, it does not take long to return to normal.