While good news, honestly if you think it's wrong I would still assume he has it to be safe. I have no idea how accurate these tests are, but in addition to the tests themselves, it's also about how well the person takes the sample. There are people who get negative tests that actually have it. Whether it is the test itself, the method of collection, storing it, testing too early or late, or something else.
The second question here is important from what seems to be a respected hospital.
"What actually happens during a COVID-19 nasal swab test? How does COVID-19 testing work?
The person conducting the test will insert a long stick with a very soft brush on the end - kind of like a pipe cleaner - up your nose and twirl it around for a few seconds. The soft bristles will collect a sample of secretions there for analysis. The swab has to go pretty far back, because cells and fluids must be collected from along the entire passageway that connects the base of the nose to the back of the throat to get a really good specimen.
The body is not used to having an object in that area, though, so it creates a lot of very odd sensations. For one thing, it activates the lachrymal reflex, which means it'll bring tears to your eyes if it's done correctly. I wouldn't go so far as to say it hurt, but it is uncomfortable. Since the swab will also touch the back of the throat, it may also trigger a gag reflex.
Are there any other types of COVID-19 tests available?
Yes, tests can be performed on other specimen types that are less invasive, such as a throat swab. But they are less sensitive than the COVID-19 nasal swab test. Saliva is another specimen type that is being explored, but the jury is still out on that one. The preliminary data look really promising. But we're still waiting on larger studies to confirm these initial findings."
From: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/is-covid-19-coronavirus-testing-accurate-and-9-more-things-to-know-about-covid-19-nasal-swab-testing.h00-159381945.html
This is from an article from New York Magazine, I don't know how accurate it is:
"Experts generally agree that any variability in PCR results is most often attributed to human error, not the tests. 'The confusion over the PCR tests has been because of sample collection,' Schacker said. 'You get into some goofy stuff if you're doing a nasopharyngeal swab and you don't collect it correctly. There may not be virus there when the person might actually be infected or if you use the wrong kind of swab, you can screw up the result.' False negatives can arise when swabs don't go deep enough or collect enough material or a test is taken too soon or too late. The first nasal swab Gilmore was given was administered by a health-care provider who swabbed for only a few seconds and the second by a doctor who counted to ten out loud. Researchers don't yet know the degree to which human error may be whittling down accuracy, but at least one early study suggested PCR accuracy may range from 66 percent to 88 percent in the real world."
From: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/06/how-accurate-are-covid-19-tests.html
Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html
Updated May 22, 2020
"I. Respiratory Specimens
A. Upper respiratory tract
Nasopharyngeal swab/Oropharyngeal (Throat)
Use only synthetic fiber swabs with plastic or wire shafts. Do not use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts, as they may contain substances that inactivate some viruses and inhibit PCR testing. CDC is now recommending collecting only the NP swab, although OP swabs remain an acceptable specimen type. If both NP and OP swabs are collected, they should be combined in a single tube to maximize test sensitivity and limit use of testing resources.
NP swab: Insert minitip swab with a flexible shaft (wire or plastic) through the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered or the distance is equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient, indicating contact with the nasopharynx. Swab should reach depth equal to distance from nostrils to outer opening of the ear. Gently rub and roll the swab. Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions. Slowly remove swab while rotating it. Specimens can be collected from both sides using the same swab, but it is not necessary to collect specimens from both sides if the minitip is saturated with fluid from the first collection. If a deviated septum or blockage create difficulty in obtaining the specimen from one nostril, use the same swab to obtain the specimen from the other nostril.
OP swab: Insert swab into the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas. Rub swab over both tonsillar pillars and posterior oropharynx and avoid touching the tongue, teeth, and gums."
I can't find as much information on a throat swab that goes through the mouth, which I assume is what you mean? Or do you mean a swab that goes through the nose and into the throat? That information above is from the end of May. Is that still accurate? If it is, then it's important whether or not they went through his mouth or nose. Even if it is his nose, how deep and how long they did it matters. Not sure about for the throat how long it should be that they use the swab.
I don't know how easy it would be to get another test, but even if you can't get another, I would still assume he has it. No matter what he has, he has something that I assume is contagious, so you would want to avoid what he has anyway. You would just be doing that to a much greater extent to be cautious. That's personally how I would handle it, but I am very cautious when it comes to this disease.
Even after he recovers from what he has, I would continue to be careful. (can't provide information on how long, it varies of course) If you doubt the testing, you could try getting another test, especially if he didn't get a nasal test. I am not sure how it is done now, but I had previously heard that you wanted to get two tests 24 hours apart to see if you are negative. But obviously that depends on having testing available. But even if they were doing that, I don't know how it works if you didn't test positive to begin with. I just don't know how easy it is to get multiple tests. Since a lot of people can't get tests easily, some people are likely not getting tests and if they come down with something that seems like it could be COVID-19, they are just assuming they have it and are taking precautions. If I felt unwell at all, I would treat it as COVID-19 to be safe and while I would get a test if I could, I would still do exactly what I was doing, even if it was negative, to avoid the potential of giving it to someone else. I can easily isolate if I needed to though. Me and my dad sometimes haven't gone out for an entire month. I haven't since March, he goes to the store about once per month. (he won't let me do it) I understand that a lot of people would have trouble isolating just as a precaution when they have received a negative test. It's a lot bigger burden when talking about more people and whether or not they have to get back to work.
There are tests for the flu, but that would involve going to a doctor's office I would assume. Not sure where you get that, especially this time of year. But you may not want to go to the doctor's office, unless you really need to, because if he doesn't have it, he could get it. |