Recently, rumors that nucleic acid detection sampling cotton swabs contain fluorescent agents, ethylene oxide and other carcinogens have attracted attention. There are also public reports that the nausea after taking nucleic acid is relatively strong, and it is suspected that there are some irritating substances in it, which will cause harm to the body. Is that so?
On June 9, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council held a press conference. The responsible comrades of the Bureau and the Beijing Municipal Health Commission and relevant experts attended the meeting, introduced the nucleic acid detection work, the situation of epidemic prevention and control, and answered questions from the media. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Yuwei
At the press conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council held on June 9, Li Jinming, deputy director of the National Health Commission’s Clinical Laboratory Center, introduced that the sampling swab looks like a It is like a cotton swab, but it is not actually a cotton swab. Its material is polyester or nylon fiber, which is similar to the toothbrush in our daily life.
“During the process of making our sampling swab, millions of tiny fibers are vertically and evenly covering the end of the swab handle. Sampling is like brushing our teeth with a toothbrush, it brushes the inside of our mouth. Take the cells from the posterior pharyngeal wall of the pharynx, and then put the sampling swab into the sampling tube, because it is made of nylon and polyester, so it is easy to remove it into the preservation solution, and the laboratory will carry out related tests later.” Li Jinming explained.
As for some of the public’s feelings of nausea or irritation after sampling, Li Jinming said that different people have different reactions. Some people have a more sensitive throat and feel uncomfortable after sampling. people will be more tolerant. “During the sampling process, when the back wall of the pharynx is scraped and scraped, some people are stimulated and feel a foreign body, and they will feel itching or vomiting. The differences between these individuals are relatively large.”
Nurses sample nucleic acid tests for residents at a nucleic acid testing site in Balizhuang Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing (May 25th photo). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xin
Li Jinming also added that there is another situation. When sampling, the mouth is usually opened, and some people’s soft palate closes the base of the tongue together. If the sampler wants to ensure the quality of the sampling, they will probe inside, looking for the posterior pharyngeal wall and the tonsils. When they probe, they will be stimulated. , this discomfort is easily relieved.
As for the rumors that the sampling cotton swabs contain harmful substances, which will cause harm to the body, Li Jinming made it clear that sampling swabs are medical devices, and its production environment and requirements are very strict, and there are also relevant standards for quality supervision. Our individual is not harmed. “One of our products is basically non-toxic and harmless, and no harmful substances will be produced during the production process of sampling swabs.”
At the press conference, the first-level inspector of the National Health Commission’s Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention He Qinghua also reminded the public that nucleic acid testing is the most scientific and effective means of early detection of the epidemic. The general public should actively cooperate in carrying out nucleic acid testing, fulfill their personal prevention and control obligations, and jointly promote the formation of a good social atmosphere for group prevention and control. .
Li Ang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health and Health Commission, also reminded the public at the press conference that when participating in nucleic acid testing, they must follow the on-site requirements and standardize the coordination of sampling to ensure the sampling effect. (Reporter/Wang Ying sorts out the contents of the press conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council)