Experts Call Anal Swab Can Be Applied In Indonesia But Done Independently

ILLUSTRATION / Swab Hunter in Surabaya

JAKARTA - Researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Biological Research Center Sugiyono Saputra assessed that anal swab or swab tests can be done in Indonesia.

This is following a new protocol in China which states that the swab test can be done not only from the nose but also from the anus.

"It's possible (done in Indonesia, red) but maybe if the anal swab is done by the person concerned," said Sugiyono when contacted by VOI, Thursday, January 28.

According to him, anal swabs can indeed be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 because this virus can indeed be identified through digestion as well as blood. Moreover, this virus can last longer than in the respiratory tract.

"Usually SARS-Cov-2 can be detected longer in the feces. On average, it's around 17 days, yes, in the respiratory tract, it's about 14 days. But even though it can be detected there longer, even though its viability is not certain," he said.

Seeing this condition, he considered anal swab can be an alternative. Of course, before doing it independently, the person who will do it is told correctly how the technique is so that the test can be carried out properly and not contaminated.

"So it is different from naso or oro swab which obviously has to be done by someone who is experienced," he said.

Previously reported, Chinese state media introduced the new protocol in recent days. The protocol sparked widespread discussion with anger. China is looking into the possibility of how our swab test will no longer be from the nose, but done in the anus.

Several Chinese doctors explained that in a study, it was seen that patients who recovered from COVID-19 then got positive test results after going through a swab test on the lower digestive tract. The results were obtained a few days after the nose and throat swab test which showed negative results.

To many, that seems like a protocol to go too far, given that it was launched after a pandemic year. And after all, anal swab test is considered to erode a little dignity. Even Chinese doctors who endorse this test admit to the inconvenience of this method.

This suggests that it makes sense for this method to be used only in certain groups, such as in quarantine centers.

"If we add this rectal swab test, it can increase the level of identifying infected patients," said Li Tongzeng, an infectious disease specialist at Beijing You'an Hospital.

"But of course, considering that collecting anal swabs is not as comfortable as throat swabs, currently only key groups like those in quarantine accept both," he added.