Antigen self-test how to avoid damage to the nasal cavity? Expert: Don't "Stab"!

How to avoid nasal swabs for nucleic acid and antigen testing that can damage the nasal passages? What should patients with rhinitis be aware of? When taking a nasal swab sample, the swab should be inserted as vertically as possible into the nostril.Rapid antigen nasal swab If the swab is not inserted smoothly, do not "poke hard" to avoid damaging the nasal septum.

Most of the antigen test kits available on the market today take samples from nasal swabs. Why do we need to take a sample from the nasopharynx?

Antigen detection is mainly through the detection of systemic viruses and surface proteins, with a certain degree of specificity, and can be operated easily and conveniently, with fast results. However, compared to nucleic acid testing, antigen testing is not as sensitive. The nasopharynx has more secretions, and if not infected with a virus, this problem area will contain a little more viral information than the oropharynx. Antigen testing will be more accurate when sampling this important area.

How do I find the right part of the nasopharynx when self-sampling?

The nasopharynx is located directly across from the posterior nostril. We usually see the front nostril as the "front door" and the back nostril as the "back door". The swab enters the nasal cavity through the "front door", passes through the "back door" and hits a "wall", the nasopharynx.

At this point, the swab is almost perpendicular to the face, and then the swab goes further down to the nasopharynx. Simply put, the swab should be "vertical, down and back" to find the correct nasopharynx.

Some people may find it difficult to get the swab in, or may feel a pain in their nose when they do. Why is this?

There is a nasal septum between the two nostrils, which is like a "wall" between the two nasal passages. But this "wall" is not ideal always straight, many people are born with a little deviated septum, if we have a relatively minor will not have an impact on social life, if there is a serious risk of triggering unilateral nasal congestion, often nosebleeds, sinusitis, etc., this type of development of the population needs to be corporate and timely medical care. There are also a lot of people who may be because of trauma or other related diseases, the presence of a deviated septum.

A deviated septum causes the nostrils to be slightly larger on one side and smaller on the other. Therefore, when taking a sample, if you feel that there is a lot of resistance from one side of the nostril, it is recommended that you do not "poke hard", but rather change the nostril on the other side and use a cotton swab to slowly stretch down the back of the nostril. If the swab is poked in the wrong place or with too much force, the swab may poke the inferior turbinate, which will be more painful.

Can children be sampled by nasal swabbing?

Babies have small nostrils that need to be swabbed. Adolescents and children can take nasal swabs with the help of their parents. Be patient and gentle.

Can a person with rhinitis, who is often runny, still be sampled by performing a nasal swab for the study of nucleic acids or related antigens?

You can blow your nose before sampling, but be careful not to wash your nose with saline as this may dilute the concentration of viruses in the nasal cavity and affect the sensitivity of the test. Nasal discharge itself will not affect the results of nucleic acid or antigen testing. If bleeding occurs from an accidental puncture, it is recommended to stop the bleeding before taking a sample. If the bleeding is not excessive, it does not affect the test result.

If the rhinitis is an acute episode, you can wait until the symptoms have stabilized or use a throat swab for nucleic acid testing.

Will the nasal swab damage the nasal mucosa and aggravate the rhinitis when testing and sampling antigens or nucleic acids?

Usually not. There is only a small amount of sample damage and it will heal quickly. However, if the antigen sample is taken with a "hard jab" and hits the nasal septum or inferior turbinate, damage may occur. Nucleic acid testing is done by a medical professional and will avoid the risk of nasal injury.

nasopharynx Antigen detection nucleic acids

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