How do I collect the nasal sample correctly? — TEST for COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 - INTRANASAL

The test uses a nasal sample, which is less invasive than a deep nasopharyngeal swab. The reliability of the result depends heavily on how the sample is collected. Here are the practical steps that apply to most nasal antigen tests of this type:

• Blow your nose gently before the sample to remove excess mucus.
• Insert the swab into the nostril as instructed — usually a few inches — and rotate it several times against the inner wall.
• Use the same swab for the other nostril, repeating the rotation.
• Do not touch the swab tip with anything else before or after sampling.
• Follow the exact timing for the extraction buffer and the number of drops. Deviating from the instructions can affect the result.
• Read the result at the time specified in the instructions. Reading too early or too late can produce a misleading line.

If the test line is faint, it is still a positive result — the instructions will explain how to interpret it. If you are unsure whether the sample was collected correctly, repeat the test with a fresh kit. A poorly collected sample is one of the reasons a negative result may not be reliable. For children, adult supervision is essential — the adult should perform the sample for younger children and guide older ones through the steps.