My Experience

I was feeling terrible for three days. Muscular aches and pains, an ongoing headache, exhaustion, lack of appetite, a bad cough. I finally went in to see me doctor.

My doctor listened to my lungs, evaluated my temperature and evaluated my overall symptoms. She suspected the flu and wanted to confirm. If it were the flu, she explained, she could prescribe antivirals to help reduce the symptoms quicker.

She took out a long swab that looked like a miniature toilet brush. She told me it would feel uncomfortable but wouldn’t hurt. She then asked if I were ready, I said yes, and she put the swab into my nose and twirled it quickly several times. She then pulled it out and put the specimen in a carrier. It took maybe 15 seconds, and while it was not a pleasant feeling, it was quick and not painful.

There was no discomfort or pain once my doctor removed the swab. She told me they would call the next day with results (it turned out I had influenza A and I was put on antivirals).