We all know that the virus swab specimen collection method is basically to use a swab to go to the place or part infected by the virus for virus sampling, and then without touching other places, put into the virus sampling tube containing preservation fluid inside, in order to do subsequent virus testing. So basically, it is a change of soup and not a change of medicine.

Take the pharyngeal swab and nasal swab for the detection of the new coronavirus as an example.

Pharyngeal swab specimen collection method

Inform the patient of the purpose of the test, the method of collection, and the time of collection. It is best to collect specimens before treatment with antimicrobial drugs.

1. Purpose: To collect secretions from the pharynx or tonsils for bacterial culture or virus isolation to assist in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

2. Prepare the sampling supplies: disposable sampling swab, virus sampling tube, tongue depressor and biological bag

3. Operation methods.

(1). Ask the patient to sit down, tilt the head back, open the mouth wide and make an "ah~" sound

(2). The sampler fixes the patient's tongue with the tongue depressor and uses a disposable sampling swab to cross the root of the tongue to the posterior pharyngeal wall and tonsillar fossa, lateral wall, etc.

(3). Repeatedly wipe 3~5 times to collect mucosal cells or sputum

(4). Gently remove the swab, avoiding touching the tongue, pendulous body, oral mucosa and saliva

(5). Gently place the swab vertically into the virus sampling tube, break the end of the swab and round off its tail so that it is completely placed in the tube, taking care that the swab does not touch the wall of the tube.

(6). Screw on the cap of the tube, mark it well, and put it into a biosafety bag and seal it well.

(7). Promptly send to the laboratory for testing, or if not possible to do so in time, should be stored at low temperature.

Specimen collection method for nasal swabs.

(1). Ask the patient to sit down with the head slightly tilted back and remove the secretions from the anterior nostril first.

(2). Measure the distance from the nostril to the root of the ear with a swab and mark it with a finger

(3). Insert the nasal swab gently into the nostril until the marked position or until there is a feeling of obstruction, stop, let the swab stay in the nose for 15~30 seconds and then rotate it gently 3 times.

(4). Pull out the nasal swab slowly and put it into the virus sampling tube quickly, then break the swab and round its tail so that it is completely placed in the tube.

(5). Screw on the cap of the tube, mark it well and put it into a biosafety bag and seal it well.

(6). If it is necessary to collect from both nostrils, a separate swab should be used.

(7). Promptly send to the laboratory for testing, or if not possible to do so in time, should be stored at low temperature.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)