New study finds sample taken from mouth more effective in detecting corona

In the last two years of the corona pandemic, our nose was used to detect viruses in the body. While health workers took samples by inserting swab sticks into the nose, at-home tests also made people masters of taking samples from the nose. But now amid rising cases of Omicron, scientists are saying that the best way to detect the virus is not the nose, but the mouth.

Corona virus first appears in the mouth and throat

University of Maryland researcher Dr. Donald Milton says that the corona virus first appears in the mouth and throat. This means, the corona test method we were using so far has many problems. According to some research, the virus can be detected in the early days from the saliva of the mouth instead of the nose.

Corona sample taken by mouth is 12 times better

Dr. Milton and his team did a research to identify the better method of corona test. In this, samples were taken from the nose and mouth of corona patients even before symptoms appeared. According to research, three times more virus was found in the mouth than in the nose. Also, samples taken by mouth gave more corona positive results. It was 12 times more than the nose.

Saliva test necessary to prevent Omicron infection

Dr. Robbie Sikka says that in the midst of the wave of Omicron, we need to update the corona testing. This variant duplicates and spreads very rapidly in the body. Also, in most of the cases, it does not cause any symptoms and it also leaves the body quickly. Therefore, it is necessary to test the saliva of the patients instead of the nose. Some experts also believe that Omicron may cause early multiplication in the mouth and throat. However, this cannot be confirmed at the moment.