The Anti-Fake News Centre of Thailand has refuted as a fake news a social media report claiming that taking a deep nasal swab, for COVID-19 testing for example, can damage the olfactory nerve.

 

According to the fake report, damage to the olfactory nerve can affect health and life span, because the olfactory nerve is one of two paths through the skull, which connects the nasal passage and the brain, through which viruses and bacteria can cross the blood-brain barrier.

 

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The centre said that the Medical Services Department has carefully checked the report and found that a deep nasal swab may touch the sensory nerve in the nose, but will not damage it.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/social-media-report-on-damage-of-olfactory-nerve-through-deep-nasal-swab-is-fake-news/

 

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I don't know, I did watch a test being performed on TV once, the nurse was nearly up to her elbow with the swab, the poor fella was falling over the back of the chair trying to get away.

I couldn't understand why it needed to go so deep?

1. It's only "fake news" because there is no evidence (either way) to prove that damage is or isn't done.

 

2. Maybe greater caution suggests they should change to anal swabs - what could possibly go wrong with that?

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I don't know, I did watch a test being performed on TV once, the nurse was nearly up to her elbow with the swab, the poor fella was falling over the back of the chair trying to get away.

I couldn't understand why it needed to go so deep?

Nasal swabs are not to be sniffed at.????