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. 2020 Jun;42(6):1303-1304.
doi: 10.1002/hed.26212. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

COVID-19: Nasal and oropharyngeal swab

Gerardo Petruzzi  1 , Armando De Virgilio  2   3 , Barbara Pichi  1 , Francesco Mazzola  1 , Jacopo Zocchi  1 , Giuseppe Mercante  2   3 , Giuseppe Spriano  2   3 , Raul Pellini  1
Affiliations

COVID-19: Nasal and oropharyngeal swab

Gerardo Petruzzi et al. Head Neck. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Performing a proper nasal and oropharyngeal swab procedure is essential in the screening of COVID-19 infection. The video illustration of nasal and oropharyngeal swab is presented (Video S1). To correctly perform the nasopharyngeal swab, the patient must be seated comfortably with the back of their head against the headrest. The swab is inserted in the nose horizontally, along an imaginary line between the nostril and the ear. Oropharyngeal sampling is easier to perform. The swab is directed toward the rear wall of the oropharynx and it is rotated a few times before removal. After taking the sample, it is necessary to insert both swabs in the same tube, breaking the rod with one swift and controlled movement. Finally, carefully reset the cap. It appears to be extremely important to properly collect nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs in order to minimize the false negative rate among COVID-19 positive patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; nasopharynx; oropharynx; swab.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflict of interests.

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