Throat Swab May Be Better Bet on Rapid COVID-19 Tests Than Nose Swab

Rapid antigen tests conducted via nasal swab may not be effective at detecting COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant within the first few days of infection. Swabbing the throat has been suggested as a more effective alternative as the throat is where the virus first invades, before moving up to the nasal cavity. The United States Food and Drug Administration, however, is worried about the safety of self-swabbing the throat. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends throat swabbing be conducted only by healthcare professionals. Click here to read more.