Can a Bloody Nose Cause a False Positive COVID Test?

When you’re worried that you have COVID and you choose to take a rapid antigen test, you want to be as sure as possible that the results are accurate. Unfortunately, false positives and negatives can occur and lead you to believe the wrong results. Understanding some common causes of these inaccurate tests can help you prevent them.

You may be wondering: Can a bloody nose cause a false positive COVID test? To help you feel confident in your COVID test results, we’ll explain what to do if you have a bloody nose and discuss some other possible causes of false positives. Contact A2Z Diagnostics to learn more, or visit Eatontown’s covid testing facility for rapid tests.

What to Do if You Have a Bloody Nose While Taking a COVID Test

Can a bloody nose cause a false positive COVID test? The answer is yes; blood on nasal swabs is likely to lead to inaccurate tests, including false positives.

If you have a bloody nose while taking a COVID test, discard the swab containing the blood. Then, either wait until the bleeding stops or swab the non-bleeding nostril. If you’re unable to prevent contaminating the test with your blood, try using a different type of test, such as a saliva test.

Other Factors that May Cause False Positives

Bloody noses aren’t the only things that could cause an inaccurate negative result; some other factors include:

• Tests Past the Expiration Date: At-home COVID test kits have become a popular choice, but many do expire after a year or less. Be sure to check the expiration date on the test kit package.
• Temperature: The majority of at-home test kits are most accurate at room temperature. If you have the kits delivered and they sit out in cold or humid weather, allow them to reach the proper temperature before you test.
• Food and Drink: If you’re taking a saliva test, avoid ingesting any food or drink for at least 30 minutes before your test. Brushing your teeth, chewing gum, and smoking shortly before your test can also lead to a false positive result.

Get a COVID Test Today

Can a bloody nose cause a false positive COVID test? Along with several other factors, a bloody nose can cause false positives, so avoid contaminating your nasal swab.

For a professional test, visit an A2Z Diagnostics testing location and allow a trained technician to perform a nasal swab. They’ll walk you through the details and answer any questions, such as, “Are COVID test results confidential?”