 | By Paola de Varona, News Editor | | | Finding an at-home COVID test takes me back to hunting for a vaccine appointment early last year: calling pharmacies to see if they have any in stock. Did you know Google employees all received an at-home COVID PCR testing machine? I bet we're all wishing we had one of those right now. | | | Today's Top Story | | Should You Add a Throat Swab to Your COVID Test? |  | On social media, people are sharing anecdotes of testing negative with a nasal swab when using at-home COVID tests, but positive when they add a throat swab into the mix.
Throat and nose test kits aren't unheard of, and they're prominent in other countries like the U.K. But the rapid tests authorized in the U.S. don't call for a throat sample. Now, Omicron may be making these rapid tests less sensitive, meaning even if you're sick you might not test positive right away. So is it time to change our testing routine?
Not yet. These rapid tests weren't tested using throat swabs, so there isn't actual data on whether it'll help (and if it's safe). If you swab the back of your throat incorrectly, you could seriously hurt yourself. | | Know More | | Pushes to test the viral load in your throat aren't unfounded, though. Some early studies suggest that rapid tests can detect the Omicron variant, but they may have a reduced sensitivity to it. Other preliminary studies suggest that Omicron is better at replicating in the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, too. Put two and two together, and experts say there is some logic behind this trend. | | Feel Better | | Experts recommend sticking to a thorough nose swab rather than trying both. But if you're going to do it anyway, make sure you don't skip your nose. (And please swab your throat, then your nose—not the other way around.) | | |  | | As you head into the weekend, make sure you're tightening up your safety precautions. Currently, most of the U.S. is experiencing high community transmission. |  |  | | What You Need to Know About the IHU Variant in France | | We're starting 2022 off with a bang. A new variant that cropped up in France at the same time as Omicron is garnering a lot of attention. But thankfully, the WHO doesn't think it's a cause for concern. According to Poland, early data show that the new variant is not spreading very far at the moment. But that could change in the coming months. | | | | Check Your Vitamin Levels With These At-home Tests | | Now that gloomy, winter days are in full swing, it might be smart to check your vitamin D levels. The good news is that you can check many of your vitamin levels without leaving the comfort of your home. These tests allow you to easily take a blood sample at home, mail it to a lab, and receive your results digitally in as little as two days. Not sure which to choose? We've done the research for you. | | | | | |  | | Anita Sadaty, MD, a Verywell Medical Advisory Board member, stresses the importance of getting enough vitamin D. |  | | Adequate vitamin D levels are associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and flu. Get your vitamin D levels checked and aim for a serum level above 45. | |  |  | Anita Sadaty, MD
OB-GYN and Verywell Medical Advisory Board member
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