Social media can create a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about certain things. For instance, the claim that nose swabs can damage the brain is a source of concern for many people. Moreover, the way of doing it may also make certain people uncomfortable. There are few chances that an error by a health worker causes harm while testing; otherwise, the nasopharyngeal swab is a gold standard used to diagnose the presence of the COVID-19 virus. 

How Far Up Your Nose Does the Rapid Test Go? 

The rapid antigen tests involve both nasal swab tests and throat swabs. For nasal swabs, it is recommended that the soft swab tip go up a few centimetres into the nose or until it hits resistance, which is usually 2.5 cm. It should be remembered that there is a difference between a nasopharyngeal swab and a nasal swab. The former includes the sample collection from the upper part of the nose. The latter involves sample collection from the nasal membrane. The thickness and length of the swabs are slightly different for both types. 

The instructions are normally given on the rapid testing kits, which you can use at home as well. You should insert the swab tip only up to the recommended length.

Can COVID Test Nose Swabs Damage the Brain?

It is a myth that deep nasal swabs can damage the brain. The brain is located far from the nasal testing parts and is well protected. Either a nasopharyngeal swab or the nasal swab test will have to break the bone to reach your brain and damage it. 

However, the testing practise of health workers can make people uncomfortable or fearful. Many are polite, and they are like “swab and go” with the customer, while some are harsh. They may rotate the swab forcefully or perform swabs in both nasals, which makes it irritable for the majority of people. This is the reason that people prefer PCR-based tests over rapid tests.

What You Should Remember About Testing for COVID.

COVID-19 tests are a great way of preventing the spread of coronavirus because they help people decide whether self-isolation should have been opted for. With a lot of testing options available, you may feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right option. The credibility of the test is another matter. 

According to John McKinnon, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Henry Ford Hospital, it is essential to be aware that if you are tested too early, the test may be negative. This may happen because there may not be enough COVID virus in the body for its detection.

You should remember a few things before a COVID-19 test. These are:

• These are two types of diagnostic tests: molecular testing and antigen testing.
• The timing of your testing, which is associated with two conditions,
• If you are developing symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, 
• If you have been exposed to an infected person.

Asymptomatic people can have an active viral load and, therefore, should perform COVID-19 testing. And sometimes, there are other symptoms in some people besides the commonly identified ones. This does not mean that those individuals are not infectious. 

To Summarise

We have successfully established the fact that no matter how far up your nose the rapid test goes, it can’t damage the brain, but it can make you feel uncomfortable a bit. Nasopharyngeal and nasal swabs are both safe, rapid antigen tests. They are a good way of detecting the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in an individual’s body. There are, nevertheless, certain important points to remember before a COVID-19 test to get it done right, so check out this guide for healthcare providers and pay attention to the COVID test diagram in it.