Authors:
Anna See, MMed (ENT)1, Song Tar Toh, FAMS1
Affiliations:
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Corresponding author:
See Anna
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
Singapore General Hospital
Outram Road, Singapore 169608
Telephone: (65) 6222 3322
Email: anna.see.xinyin@singhealth.com.sg
Reprints will not be available from the authors.
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and was declared a
pandemic in March 2020. A plethora of respiratory sampling methods for
SARS-CoV-2 viral detection has been used and in the current evolving
situation, there is no international consensus on the recommended method
of respiratory sampling for diagnosis. Otolaryngologists deal intimately
with the upper respiratory tract and a clear understanding of the
respiratory sampling methods is of paramount importance. This article
aims to provide an overview of the various methods and their evidence
till date.