A recent news that “Coke, orange juice, vinegar, and pickles can cause false positives in nucleic acid tests” has been circulating on WeChat and Moments. Is this true?
Drinking drinks before nucleic acid preparation will cause ” false positive”?
Li Tongzeng, chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases of Beijing You’an Hospital, introduced in an interview with Beijing Daily on April 27 , the claim that diet causes false positives in nucleic acids has no scientific basis. Whether it is nucleic acid testing or antigen testing, there is a certain probability of false positives. In contrast, nucleic acid testing is affected by fewer factors, and the probability of false positives is very low. The occurrence of false positive results has no overall pattern, and is mostly caused by laboratory contamination or improper operation.
Li Tong once said that he should not eat within 2 hours before the nucleic acid test, and should not drink water for half an hour in advance, especially carbonated drinks and alcohol, and he should not smoke or chew. chewing gum. This is mainly to avoid “false negatives” during nucleic acid testing. Drinking water, drinks, etc., will dilute oral secretions, which may lead to inaccurate test results. ①
Why don’t “ah” when doing nucleic acid?
Liu Lei, director of the National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and secretary of the Party Committee of the Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, was receiving a speech on March 23. In the interview, the newspaper reminded that when doing nucleic acid testing, it is best not to make a sound of “ah”. When some positive patients say “ah”, the aerosol will come out and the virus will come out. It is best not to “ah” when you open your mouth in the nucleic acid test. . ②
Liu Lei, Director of Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital
Li Tong, chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases of Beijing You’an Hospital, said in an interview with Beijing Daily on April 27 that “ah” is an exhalation action. Exhaling during the nucleic acid test will expel more virus. Therefore, do not “ah” out, to protect others. ①
How to protect yourself when doing nucleic acid collectively?
How can you better protect yourself during the collective nucleic acid testing process? Li Tong, chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases at Beijing You’an Hospital, suggested in an interview with Beijing Daily on April 27 that after taking off the mask, try not to take a deep breath. “Before taking off the mask, you can take a breath. After taking off the mask, cooperate with the staff’s instructions to open the mouth as much as possible, and make sure that the movements are in place, so that the staff can take samples in one step, and quickly put on the mask after picking.”
“To do nucleic acid collectively, the most fearful thing is to gather and talk.” Li Tong once said that when queuing up, you should keep a distance of more than one meter, and don’t get together, drink water, or eat. Especially don’t talk face to face. When the sampling of the person in front is over, wait for the instructions of the staff, do not sit down or take off the mask and wait, and try to reduce the time for taking off the mask as much as possible.
During the nucleic acid sampling process, do not place items on the table or touch the table with your hands. Wash your hands in time and keep your hands hygienic when you go home after finishing the nucleic acid. “You can prepare an alcohol wipe in advance and disinfect your hands immediately after the nucleic acid is done.” ①
This article is compiled from:
①2022-04-27 Beijing Daily “Will drinking beverages before nucleic acid testing cause false positives? Expert Answers——”
②2022-03-23 Jingbao interviewed Liu Lei, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital
Editor: Lu Yang
Reviewer: Yang Xiaoming