You’ve no doubt been hearing all about the importance of COVID-19 testing since March. But less has been written about how these tests are actually administered. There are a few different ways that samples are collected, though some are used more often than others.
Nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs have been pretty common throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. You may have heard some people say their swab was uncomfortable, while others brushed it off. That’s because nasal tests only take a sample from your nostrils, while nasopharyngeal swabs go farther up your nose, deeper into your nasal cavity.
While nasopharyngeal swabs can be uncomfortable, they are thought to be more accurate; if you had COVID-19, this area would carry a higher viral load. However, nasal swabs may be the best option for people who have nasal conditions.
COVID-19 tests may also be administered through a throat swab or a saliva test. For a throat swab, a sample is collected from your throat, similarly to the way it is collected in a nasal swab. A saliva test is done by spitting into a container. People receiving this test are asked not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes beforehand.
No matter how your test is done, it’s important to ensure you get fast and accurate results. Avalon Laboratory Solutions can guarantee accurate results within 24-48 hours. This allows our clients to catch an infection before they spread it.
Everyone’s availability is different, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all method for COVID-19 testing. At Avalon Lab Solutions, we can schedule you immediately to be tested in two different ways: through drive-in testing at our lab, or an at-home test. In both cases, you’ll receive results within 48 hours.
To find out more information or learn about pricing, email i[email protected].