Nucleic acid testing can be done for a cold and runny nose and will not affect the results.
Most colds and runny noses are caused by influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, etc., all of which have their own gene sequences. Nucleic acid tests usually detect HIV, chlamydia, novel coronaviruses, hepatitis B viruses, etc.
Cold viruses and HIV, new coronaviruses, etc. are completely different viruses with different gene sequences, therefore, a runny nose for cold can be tested with nucleic acid test, which will not affect the accuracy of the final test results.
When doing the nucleic acid test with a runny nose and cold, it is recommended to wear a good mask and keep a certain distance in the queue to avoid cross infection. If the nucleic acid test result shows positive, you should go to the hospital in time.