AS the city is stepping up efforts to expand nucleic acid testing, experts have suggested that citizens avoid taking a nucleic acid test immediately after eating a full meal. A boy vomited on the spot while having a throat swab June 12, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

Liu Dehong, a physician with Shenzhen No. 2 People’s Hospital, reminded that a throat swab needs to collect secretions on the surface of the posterior pharyngeal mucosa, which will directly stimulate the pharyngeal mucosa.

Liu advised that it is better not to have a throat swab immediately after eating to avoid retching undigested food. When a sample is taken, citizens should relax and open their mouths wide to facilitate the sampling of medical staff. (Zhang Yu)