Many Americans are relying on at-home COVID 19 tests to determine if that scratchy throat and stuffy nose is the omicron variant, a cold, or something else entirely. As complaints surface that the tests are slow to pick up on the highly contagious variant, experts are now debating on where you should actually stick that swab…
Some biologists, doctors and epidemiologists say swabbing your throat in addition to your nose, with the same swab, could help detect a positive COVID case more accurately and earlier. Some testing sites run by local health departments, hospitals, clinics and private companies, have made the switch to collecting saliva samples or throat swab instead of the up-the-nose swab into the lower brain we’ve become accustomed to. It’s unclear how accurate at-home tests are when done with a throat swab, due to lack of testing.
To get the most complete idea of whether or not you’re infected, you need to test regularly. For the most accurate results, seek a PCR test when possible.
