to ask if I could get the swab just up my nose?

[LokiOdinson]

Swab tomorrow, operation in a few days. Absolutely fucking terrified of vomiting and I've just gotten over food poisoning as it is, I don't want anything down my throat. Nurses do just a nose swab so I don't see why it's not good enough for me?

Last time I asked they said they had to do both but I'm kind of tempted to (gently and kindly!) insist that I cannot handle the stupid throat swab gag machine right now.

Just nose is much less accurate I expect they'll want both.

Are you required to do a PCR test rather than the speedier Lateral Flow?
my understanding is that Lateral Flow only need a nose swab, but they are the tests used for people having them regularly for work etc, but the results are less reliable than the PCR test (where results take 24 hours) - which has required nose and throat both of the times I've done it.

Just to clarify, lateral flow tests do need throat and nose. I do them twice a week for work (school.)
Sorry you're not well OP, I understand not wanting to gag after what you've been through.
Maybe just hold it towards the back of your throat at the side if that makes sense and don't swipe it back and forth-it's the swiping motion that sets off my gag reflex. Avoid your tongue, but go via the side as again, if I put it straight to the back, I'll gag.
Good luck with everything.

I've had to test several times now (thanks to my job!) and have only ever done the nasal swab.
I've never had an inconclusive result, so seems to be ok?

If it's the full test, the kit says you can just swab the nose for children and people who can't cope with the throat swab, though it's better to swab everywhere.

Well, she wasn't very happy about it and said she'd put down that it was a nasal swab only but if it works it works it was at a testing center, if it was just me there's absolutely no way I could do it by myself. When they try to do it I instinctively jerk my head away and I can't just keep still no matter how hard I try, the panic just takes over and I start crying and trying to get away from it as soon as I feel it.

For LFT you can choose to have a double nasal swab (as LFTs are usually on the tonsils and then up one nostril) up two nostrils but it is not as accurate