Does COVID-19 Test Hurt?

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The Global pandemic has totally changed the norms of living. You may have heard from people around you about their COVID-19 test experiences, while their reason for testing could be either due to travel purpose or they might have been suffering from the novel Coronavirus symptoms.

The major question that keeps on lingering in the mind is that does the COVID-19 test hurt? Well, this article will dive deep to explore which COVID-19 Test methods is less painful and which one is more accurate.

COVID-19 Test Types

The Coronavirus has instilled so much fear worldwide that people opting for COVID-19 diagnostic investigations have to think twice and thrice before actually going for it. The COVID-19 diagnostic test should not be the reason for this scare.

COVID-19 testing has huge importance in helping prompt diagnosis and isolating patient by applying quarantine measures to manage effectively and reduce the spread of this virus. There are two different types of COVID-19 test the antibody test and diagnostic test.

Antibody Test

The antibody test is usually obtained from a finger prick, which usually does not hurt. This test helps in determining if the patient has been suffering from COVID-19 for the past few days because antibodies usually take several days to develop.

Pain Score: 1/10

Diagnostic Test

There are two types of diagnostic test, antigen, and molecular test. These tests are used to determine the presence of active coronavirus infection. There are various methods of swab sampling for these test.

1-Anterior Nasal Swab – This test is used to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus, it has a pain score of 0/10 because it was taken from inside the nostrils without going deeper to turbinate.

The swab is like a long Q-tip and never goes more than 1.5 cm inside the nostrils for collection of the anterior nasal swab.

2- Middle Turbinate Swab – This swab has a minimal pain score of 1/10 because the soft corner of the swab is inserted straight back into our nostrils to about 2cm until the moment we start feeling resistance.

3-Nasopharyngeal Swab- This swab is considered as the gold standard for COVID-19 Testing; however, the pain score can go up to 2/10 depending on the patient cooperation and training of the healthcare provider.

The test involves tilting the patient’s head back up to 70 degrees. Inserting flexible shaft min tap swab inside the nostrils until resistance encountered, the distance is similar to the distance between the ear and each nostril. Patients with deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or hypertrophic turbinate may encounter painful testing experience.

4- Oropharyngeal Swab – An oropharyngeal swab is also commonly used for drive-in coronavirus testing, and it is quite easier for patients as well because there is no special technique required and the sample can be easily collected from the pharynx which lies beyond the mouth. It must be ensured during drive-in that the patient has already applied the handbrakes before conducting the test.

The Gold Standard Test PCR

PCR is also known as a polymerase chain reaction in which the genetic essence of the virus is detected through molecular technology. It can be done on body fluid, for COVID-19 the best place to obtaining fluid is the nasopharyngeal area due to excessive harbouring of viruses in this area. So, the swab is usually taken by nasopharyngeal swab testing method as described above. The obtained swab usually takes one or two days to reveal the result.

Does COVID-19 test hurt? This Image contains the swab testing stick for nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal corona virus swab testing

Post COVID-19 Test Sign and Symptoms

Generally speaking, a lot of people have this question in their mind before going for the COVID-19 test that does the COVID-19 test hurt? the COVID-19 test is not painful but rather uncomfortable, our body usually resist any foreign object, however, if you are feeling extreme pain during the test then you should raise your hand to inform the practitioner.

It is worth noticing that some people with chronic migraine may start feeling aggravation of migraine episode after the COVID-19 test, so it is important to keep your migraine medications with you when you decide to go for COVID-19 testing if you are a known case of chronic migraine.

Some individuals with allergy or lacrimation disorder can experience runny nose, sore throat, dry cough, shortness of breath,  sharp pain around the eyes and excessive tearing during the COVID-19 test,especially if a nasopharyngeal swab is performed.

There could be minor nosebleed as well along with jawline pain, these are minor sign and symptoms which could well be taken care of on time. The key to successful testing is patience and no panic.

Pain-free COVID-19 Test Tips

There are certain key points which one should remember before going for COVID-19 testing. Especially those who are quite afraid about the testing. It is important to understand that each person bony anatomy and pain tolerance capacity differs, and nobody could predict whether the testing will be pain-free or not.

Decongestant Spray

To ensure pain-free COVID-19 testing it is important to perform some precautionary measures such as cleaning the nose by using decongestant nasal or mouth spray to make it easier for the swab to go along without any bumps on its way to your nasopharynx. Ensure you lie down for an hour after instilling one drop inside each nostril.

Technician’s Instruction

Listen to the technician carefully and position your head according to his/her advice so that they could make perfect the angle of placing the swab and do not move once they order because the unwanted head movement during swab testing could make COVID-19 testing a painful experience.

Testing Will not damage the brain.

The idea that the swab may cross the blood-brain barrier during testing is wrong because our brain is protected by many layers of membrane, fluids and most importantly skull.

According to Dr Liz Coulthards, a well-known committee member of the British Neuroscience Association, the nasopharyngeal swab crosses the blood-brain barrier until or unless a significant amount of force breaks the layers of bone and tissue. So far, there has been no such case reported to our practice in neurology from COVID-19 swab testing.

COVID-19 Testing in Children

It is the dire responsibility of parents to ensure if their children are suffering from possible coronavirus symptoms then they should get them tested to ensure proper management and applying quarantine measures if required to protect the spread of the virus.

The majority of children ask their parents that does COVID-19 test hurt? the answer should always be no if the children cooperate well. Swab in children usually involves twirling the swab stick for 10 seconds inside the nostrils without going deeper into the pharynx.

The parents can play a good role in reducing children’s fear and anxiety by showing them pictures of Personal protective equipment, gown, face mask and shield before going for a test explaining safety measures.

Parents must hold the children’s hands during testing otherwise playing cartoon on a tablet or phone is considered a better distracting option too.

Key Takeaways

To Conclude, the COVID-19 diagnostic test is totally not painful at all, it is just a discomfort of few seconds usually not lasting more than 15 seconds. However, if you are suffering from any conditions like DNS, Migraine etc., you may feel pain during and after the testing, so it is better to keep an analgesic medication (painkiller) with you when going to the COVID-19 test.

Do not expect it to be piece of cake because everyone has different experience considering healthcare worker testing technique and patients nasal anatomy.

The gold standard test for COVID-19 is nasopharyngeal swab PCR so always be prepared for it. However, it is mandatory to contact your treating doctor if you have any unusual symptoms after COVID-19 Test.

Picture explaining how to cope stress during covid 19 and seek health and mental advice whenever required

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