Nucleic Acid Test Poke Nose and Poke Throat are clinically referred to as Nasal Swab and Pharyngeal Swab, and the difference between the two is the different collection sites. Nasal swabs are used to collect secretions from the nasal cavity for testing, while pharyngeal swabs are used to collect secretions from deep in the pharynx for testing. Nasal swabs are more difficult to collect specimens, nasal swabs into the nasal cavity will stimulate the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, as well as sensitive nerves to trigger the patient’s nasal itching or sneezing and other discomfort; for sensitive people, nasal swabs in the sampling process may cause more obvious nasal pain. Especially those with nasopharyngeal polyps or deformities are not easy to sample successfully. Pharyngeal swabs are easy to collect specimens and less painful for patients. However, during the sampling process, the examinee will experience nausea, vomiting and other reactions due to the foreign body sensation when the swab enters the pharynx, and sometimes it cannot be collected deep into the throat, and fewer specimens will be collected. If the patient drinks hot water or takes antiviral drugs before the test, it can lead to a decrease in viral activity and affect the accuracy of the throat swab test. It is recommended that the examinee adopts the correct body position and avoids tension during nucleic acid sampling as prescribed by the doctor, and the nasopharyngeal discomfort usually disappears within a short period of time after the sampling is completed. If there is any discomfort, please consult a doctor for examination and treatment.