To ask where the swab goes?

[Pogmaasal]

Im in another country and our tests go right down the back of the throat, and in the nose to at least 2.5inches depth.

Ive seen a video of a UK swab being taken and they just swab the tongue and then just inside the nostril, maybe 2/3cm in. Is this how the UK swabs are taken generally or was the one in the video not done properly? This is pure curiosity btw!

They don’t swab your tongue. If you’re self testing you’re told not to touch your tongue. It’s the back of your throat where your tonsils are that gets swabbed.

The nose one is a few cm in.

Are you sure it was the same type of test you were watching?

I've noticed this as well, in testing videos in the states they seem to go really far up the nostril.. but U.K. ones don't seem to go as far.

The average length of a male nose is 2.2 inches, female 2.0 inches, so 2.5 seems to be going a bit to far?

I suppose they didn't want the person demonstrating to be coughing and retching 😄

It goes in your throat around where the tonsils are and then up your nose about 1.5 inches.

My husband was in hospital in May and had to have 2 covid tests. The swab was put right down the nose and throat, far enough to make you gag.

I hate the thought of this test. If I have to get it I'm just going to quarantine instead!!

I'm 38 weeks pregnant now and expecting a test when I finally go into labour and into hospital- I'm not looking forward to it!!

It’s honestly not that bad. It’s a bit uncomfortable but seriously not worth two weeks at home.

I had two tests in hospital. First time it was absolutely fine, back of throat and up nostril maybe an inch.
Second time was extremely uncomfortable, throat was the same but the nostril was all the way up and round the corner and then rubbing for a few seconds. Awful! Was physically pushing the nurse off me, took several goes. I asked why it was so different and he said it sounds like they hadn't done it properly the first time. Apparently I have a narrow septum though so more painful than most.

If done by a HCP, it is nasopharyngeal, so really far back in the nose, it makes your eyes water and you usually sneeze. However no one could do that to themself, so self testing isn't quite so thorough!

It shouldn't touch the tongue, if it does, it is likely to come back as inconclusive. I don't know you saw that, you are meant to swab the tonsils!

Im not sure whether it was a nurse or doctor in the clip but it wasnt a self test.
The tests here go up the nose then in further, a count to 5 then a very slow and teisted journey back out again as a pp described, makes your eyes water and some people I know, including me, found it uncomfortable for a good couple of hours after. The throat one also made me gag and she kept going for a few seconds during the gag then said gagging helps as they can go deeper.
It's good to know most tests are proper deep tests, but slightly concerning that so many self tests are being done and the results relied upon

the instructions say keep going in the nose until u hit the back. it felt FAR

The instructions say go up the nose until you feel resistance, actually.

I had a test last week, it was done by a person at the test centre not by me. 3 swabs in the throat - both sides and middle. I gagged, a lot, but I do have a horrendous gag reflex. Then up the nose, felt very far up but it wasn’t sore. Made my eyes water and the lady said that was generally how they knew they were in the right place.

The instructions say to stop if you feel resistance.

I've had one done in a hospital by a nurse - quick swipe of the back of the throat and a quick twist half way up one nostril.

this is the resistance..

@Liftup surely not? That’s made me feel quite ill and I’m not particularly sensitive.

I had a test (pre op) done by a nurse. I was dreading it (more than the op!) but it was fine. One tiny gag on the throat bit and the nose bit wasn't uncomfortable at all. It just made me want to sneeze for an hour or so afterwards.

Honestly It was FINE! That picture of the nasal resistance looks utterly unrealistic to me.

I hate the idea that people could be too scared to get a test.

if you Google the medical images for performing the test, the same pictures in various versions come up. its just the back of the nasal cavity. its deep but wasn't painful.. just surprisingly far

I’ve had two tests and honestly it didn’t hurt at all!
My son lives in another European country and only had the nasal swab. I really think this is MN first world problem

I thought that the first time I had a test. Second time I was physically pushing the nurse off me! Depends who does the test I test, and maybe how narrow your nose is at the top.

No, back of throat and high up nostril

You have to be careful though....