A woman got a leak of cerebrospinal fluid from her nose after a smear for COVID-19

After testing for coronavirus, which involves taking a swab from the nose with a long stick, the forty-year-old Iowa resident began to have a headache, followed by nausea and vomiting. Something began to drip from the nose. As it turned out, it was cerebral fluid.

Doctors often jokingly call Covid-19 tests “brain scraping”, as they practically get it. For the American woman, the joke became reality. The brain fluid did not start dripping immediately. The woman went to the doctor and a specialist and diagnosed the problem.

X-rays showed a huge hole at the base of the skull. Doctors noted that the woman’s problem was caused not only by the test itself, but also by a skull defect. The cotton swab made a hole, which eventually expanded. This is the first time a popular test has had such consequences.

The woman, was tested for coronavirus to have some surgery. Hospitals require proof of virus absence for the safety of medical personnel.

The Covid-19 test can be done in three ways: with a swab from the nasopharynx, a swab from the bottom of the mouth, or by putting saliva into a test tube. In the first case, a long cotton swab is used, which is not able to damage the brain, since it is protected by the skull. The stick is inserted into the nostril, passes through the muscle and connective tissue, and then reaches the skull. The test is considered safe, and the case of the American is exceptional.