Question 1

what is a nasal swab test?

Accepted Answer

Nasal swab test: Swabbing the nasal mucosa is done for multiple reasons to test for allergy cells, infection or to look at the structure of the respiratory cells in the nasal cavity.

Question 2

how soon after exposure can you test positive with a nasal swab test for covid-19?

Accepted Answer

After Day 2: There seems to be a window of positive tests between Starting on Day 2 post exposure. The nasal swab becomes positive after this time. There is a false positive rate of 5% or lower for the PCR nasal swab test.

Question 3

what is the cheapest way to get tested? i still have residual covid symptoms after having been really sick, but theyre telling me i cant get a test at kaiser unless its urgent. also, the nasal swab seems really uncomfortable, are there other optns

Accepted Answer

State testing : I would check for a State testing facility which is free.  There is a throat swab option at some testing sites

Question 4

does pcr nasal swab test detect all variants of covid? have seen differing opinions on this in articles online?

Accepted Answer

: The commercially available PCR assays WILL detects all variants of coronavirus (as far as we know thus far) but will not distinguish between them. To do so, the virus has to be sent to a reference laboratory but this is not available to the general public.

Question 5

how accurate are nasal swab flu tests? my sister had one yesterday @ our dr 's ofc, but it was neg for flu. she has fever, chills, is very achy, etc.

Accepted Answer

Accurate if positive: If a nasal swab flu test is positive, it is a very reliable result. The swab is nasopharyngeal, meaning the swab goes to the back of the nose to get a mucus sample. If it is negative, it is only somewhat reliable, which means a person with a negative result may still have influenza. A rough estimate is that 1 out of 4 people with cold or flu symptoms, who test negative, actually do have influenza.

Question 6

used a covid test and noticed the nasal swab was discolored (faint yellow) it wasn't expired and it was sealed correctly; no evidence of damage. didn't think anything of it, until someone said maybe i shouldn't have used it. should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

: It should not hurt you, do not worry, take care.

Question 7

what is the definition or description of: pertussis in nasal swab (pcr test)?

Accepted Answer

Test: It is 'polymerase chain reaction' test request for diagnosis of pertussis bug in the sample and is a good one.

Question 8

very good evening doctors. i am waiting for pcr test results. i had the nasal swab this past friday, january 21. if the pcr were to come back positive (the rapid test results were negative), from what date would i start quarantine? i am fully vaxxed?

Accepted Answer

: This is good indicating that you are negative. Why would you quarantine?

Question 9

good morning doctors. i had a nasal swab for a pcr test last friday, january 21st. rapid test was negative. i am still waiting for the pcr results. if the pcr results were to come back positive, which date would be day 1 of quarantine today is jan 26?

Accepted Answer

: The PCR test is the most accurate, if positive than quarantine right away. You still could have picked up the virus in between tests or the first test could have been a false negative. It does no harm if you quarantine more than 10 or 14 days.

Question 10

do dermatologists do a nasal swab to test for acne?

Accepted Answer

Occasionaly: If recommended, it may be on basis of specific bacteria found in the acne breakout areas.  Some bacteria are carried within the nasal areas (like some staph and strep) are resistant to certain common antibiotics and can be problematic to treat.

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Doctor answers about:

What is a nasal swab test

A member asked:

What is a nasal swab test?

A member asked:

How soon after exposure can you test positive with a nasal swab test for covid-19?

A member asked:

What is the cheapest way to get tested? i still have residual covid symptoms after having been really sick, but theyre telling me i cant get a test at kaiser unless its urgent. also, the nasal swab seems really uncomfortable, are there other optns

A member asked:

Does pcr nasal swab test detect all variants of covid? have seen differing opinions on this in articles online?

A member asked:

How accurate are nasal swab flu tests? my sister had one yesterday @ our dr 's ofc, but it was neg for flu. she has fever, chills, is very achy, etc.

A member asked:

Used a covid test and noticed the nasal swab was discolored (faint yellow) it wasn't expired and it was sealed correctly; no evidence of damage. didn't think anything of it, until someone said maybe i shouldn't have used it. should i be worried?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: pertussis in nasal swab (pcr test)?

A member asked:

Very good evening doctors. i am waiting for pcr test results. i had the nasal swab this past friday, january 21. if the pcr were to come back positive (the rapid test results were negative), from what date would i start quarantine? i am fully vaxxed?

A member asked:

Good morning doctors. i had a nasal swab for a pcr test last friday, january 21st. rapid test was negative. i am still waiting for the pcr results. if the pcr results were to come back positive, which date would be day 1 of quarantine today is jan 26?

A member asked:

Do dermatologists do a nasal swab to test for acne?

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