MontanaFRens, I have an outpatient procedure next week and they insist on a nasal swab Covid test. Any suggestions about how to protect myself and neutralize any pathogens? Any help appreciated.
Just say No, is not an option?
MontanaIf you’re worried about the swab being seeded with covid, I’d take the usual prophylactic precautions for covid - double the IVM dose the day before, the day of and the day after. If you’re worried about potential graphene oxide contamination, I’m unaware of any prophylactic or cure for that. Numberonepal may have an idea about that.
https://blog.puritanmedproducts.com/4-reasons-they-are-not-your-ordinary-drugstore-swab
Not all swabs are created equal. Take, for instance, Puritan’s HydraFlock® and PurFlock Ultra® nasopharyngeal swabs, which are both included in the FDA's preferred swab-based types for viral specimen collection, including COVID-19 testing.
Puritan is the only U.S. manufacturer of this swab type. Unlike an ordinary cotton swab, it’s actually a highly sophisticated diagnostic tool. In fact, it’s regulated, patented, and specialized. This also means these swabs aren’t easy to manufacture on the fly.
In this article, we explore some of the characteristics that make these two styles of flock nasopharyngeal swabs ideal for viral testing. In other words, they're not your typical drugstore cotton swab. " 3. Puritan's Swab Tip Material Historically, nasopharyngeal swabs were made from nylon. Puritan’s patented swabs are made from a synthetic bi-component material that is well-suited for COVID-19 testing, because it allows for sufficient elution into the accompanying transport medium. Not all swab materials are well suited for viral testing. Unlike drugstore swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs cannot be made with cotton or other organic materials. Why? In part because during the testing process, large amounts of virus are grown using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Because cotton is a plant, it has DNA that can interfere with PCR. Nasopharyngeal swabs also can’t be made with calcium alginate, commonly used on swabs for wound care, because this substance can inactivate the virus and invalidate the test. In addition, the swab handle cannot be made of wood because this material can also interfere with test result" I hope this helps and I hope your procedure goes well!
the coviddoctors links to a hydrogen peroxide mix to use as a nasal spray - use it after the swab
Offer to use a spit test instead or just refuse.
Aside from contamination concerns, many people have been injured by those swabs going too far up the nose.
It seems reasonable to tell them you don’t want to take it because you don’t have adequate understanding of what’s on the swab, and what the risks are.
I use Xlear with Xylitol nasal spray before I go anywhere woke. It will neutralize your nasal passages.
