What is a nasal swab test?

Also called nasopharyngeal swab test, a nasal swab test is a medical procedure that involves testing the secretions of the nose to determine if a person has the flu. During the test, a cotton swab is inserted into the nose and rotated several times until it gets wet then taken out.

Typically, the cotton swab is used to collect the specimen, which is taken to the laboratory for testing. The test does not involve any pain but it can cause discomfort to some people. After the procedure, it is important to ask the doctor about the date when the results can be expected, as stated by Healthangle.