Are there any clever tricks to avoid gagging when taking a Covid test?

[SoupDragon]

I will have to take LTFs to go visit my mum and I'm dreading it. I gag really easily and have a fear of vomiting (but not as bad as a phobia!).

Is there a way to minimise gagging other than getting DD to take them for me? (Which obviously I'm not going to do 😂)

I've had two pcr swabs in 10 days while suffering from hyperemesis. I honestly just embrace the gagging and pray I don't throw up 🤣🤣

Just reading this thread is making me gag slightly 🙈 I hope the tips help OP!

I'm going to try some of these. Every time I have to do one I emerge from the bathroom eyes streaming having gagged and retched multiple times.

@DuckonaBike

I find it helps if I approach the tonsils from the side rather than putting the swab into the middle of my mouth as it goes back. I can sort of creep up on them and don’t gag as much. Also the swabbing for 10 seconds is bollocks; I manage barely 1 second and it still works.

It gets easier with practice!

I'd agree with the "10 seconds" rule being a load of rubbish.

I've done at least 5 PCRs on my 2.5 year old and just one for me (but have recently started doing LFTs). Due to age (DS) and pregnancy (me - strong gag reflex and nose bleeds) 10 seconds is impossible! We've never once had a void result.

My theory is that they say 10 seconds just to make sure the swab actually makes enough contact with the areas concerned.

Do it in the mirror. You're less likely to gag if you see it coming. Say Ahh as you do it. Making a noise seems to suppress the reflex.

There is every chance I've built it up to something huge in my mind and it will be fine.

You don’t need to! A cheek swab works just as well.

@bendmeoverbackwards

You don’t need to! A cheek swab works just as well.

We’ve done cheek swabs for both LFT and PCR, works fine. No down the throat or up the nose!

I didn't think that the in valid result was down to incorrect swabbing but not enough liquid on the result! I keep meaning to do one with water to see what happens!

I have to test twice weekly and it's just both nostrils. The kits my son gets are tonsils and one nostril.
He YouTube'd a video that showed making a tight fist with your thumb tucked in underneath your fingers which is supposed to stop the gag reflex

Apparently the home only did nostrils when someone visited today.

People say you have to swab the tonsils. Presumably this means the place where the tonsils would have been if you still had them, rather than literally “the tonsils”?

LFTs I have are most definitely back of throat plus nose . Sorry I can't offer any advice on doing them yourself , except perhaps that you don't need to stick the swab as far
Back as you think you need to. I say this as have had several done at my mum's care home by a member of staff and I can hardly feel it. Unfortunately family members have now been given a box and asked to do it ourselves so I'll also be looking for tips .

I have to do them twice a week for work, if I use a mirror it makes me gag but if I do it without looking I 'm ok. I've had a few done by nurses at different hospitals and they didn't put it right down my throat just at the back. After a few times you get used to it and now it doesn't bother me at all.

My DS7 coughs through his. It worries the testing people to start with as we have monthly swabs for ONS but it seems to help him not gag and I can reach the back of his throat!

I have to do them twice a week for work. I stand in front of a large mirror and open my mouth wide and tilt my head back a bit so I can see exactly where to swab in my throat (you definitely need to do your throat too). I take my time and put the swab in and out (carefully) a few times.

Back in March we were testing 700 kids a week at school. They were definitely told to do throat and nose - all did.

It was definitely just nose today so clearly it's not the same everywhere or every time.

This thread shows exactly why lft are so unreliable! Of course you’ll get a ‘valid negative test’ if you wave the swab in the air and don’t touch any part of your body, it doesn’t mean the test was performed correctly! You need to follow the instructions properly, swab each tonsil or tonsil area properly and a nostril unless you really do have special needs requiring a nasal only test. No wonder COVID is still spreading ffs.

My lft tests say to do tonsil and one nostril, but if this isn't possible do both nostrils.

I test twice a week for work.
I second the make a tight fist idea. I have the worst gag reflex and it definitely suppresses it.
Our LFT's need tonsil and nose swabs and I find I don't gag/sneeze if I hold it still on the tonsil for 10 seconds, then up the nostril for 10 seconds. Holding it still gives a clear result but I don't gag.

I second the question about tonsils, some of us had them removed years ago and never felt the lack but what should we aim for?

Back of the throat but avoiding the tongue?

I could tell you what my dh told me, no not him, but I won’t I was getting over a virus at the time so dreaded this.

God. My DH just sits there laughing at me. First the gagging and then the huge sneezes.

When I had my last pcr I nearly vomited on the poor lady doing it.

Really bad gag reflex