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Review
. 2021 Dec;69(8):1399-1403.
doi: 10.1136/jim-2021-001962. Epub 2021 Aug 4.

Complications of nasal SARS-CoV-2 testing: a review

James H Clark  1 , Sharon Pang  2 , Robert M Naclerio  2 , Matthew Kashima  2
Affiliations
Review

Complications of nasal SARS-CoV-2 testing: a review

James H Clark et al. J Investig Med. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Transnasal swab testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 is well established. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates swabbing either of the anterior nares, middle turbinate, or nasopharynx for specimen collection depending on available local resources. The purpose of this review is to investigate complications related to transnasal SARS-CoV-2 testing with specific attention to specimen collection site and swab approach. The literature demonstrates that while nasopharyngeal swabbing is associated with an increased risk of complications, it should remain the gold-standard test due to greater diagnostic accuracy relative to anterior nasal and middle turbinate swabs.

Keywords: COVID-19; education; medical; nasal cavity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: JHC, SP and MK declare they have no relevant conflicts of interest. RMN is part of the Medical Advisory Board for GlaxoSmithKline, Lyra, Sanofi, Regeneron, and AstraZeneca.