Nasal Swab Doesn't Cause Inflammation

Hind Khoudary

Health

15th July 2020

Nasal swabs from COVID-19 tests cannot anatomically reach the blood-brain barrier(Getty)

The Claim

The COVID-19 nasal swab test can result in inflammation of the brain.

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BlackRaiser

Twitter

Emerging story

Social media users claimed that the area sampled during a COVID-19 nasal swab is a part of the body called the blood-brain barrier. Users attached an image to the post that associates the blood-brain barrier with the target site for the sample collection.

The claims state that if the blood-brain barrier is compromised by contaminated test, a condition called “leaky blood-brain barrier,” or inflamed brain, results. This can lead to bacterial infection, toxin exposure, a whole host of syndromes and diseases, and ultimately death.

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar’s investigation finds the circulating claim false. Nasal swabs from COVID-19 tests cannot anatomically reach the blood-brain barrier, according to Public Health England. According to Reuters, the blood-brain barrier does filter out drugs and other substances in the blood so they cannot reach the brain.
It is true that the swab used to diagnose COVID-19 goes so far back into the nose it can be uncomfortable, even causing people’s eye to water. But it doesn’t touch the area known as the blood-brain barrier, where blood vessels and the brain exchange.

The diagram below demonstrates layers of protection for the nose.

Misbar didn’t find any research that supports the circulating claims. The blood-brain barrier, a system of vessels surrounding the central nervous system, is not readily in reach without piercing through several protective layers – an unlikely feat with a soft nasal swab.