05-01-2022

WEdnESdAY, JAnuARY 5, 2022
5
JuLIA RIES
You may have noticed that more and
more people are testing positive for
COVID-19 after using a rapid test to swab
their throats. The trend took off on
Twitter this past week, and unlike most
of the medical advice shared across social
media, this tactic appears to be
scientifically sound. Most of the rapid
antigen tests available are currently only
authorized for nasal collection, but
infectious disease experts aren't
surprised to hear that people who tested
negative after a nasal swab nonetheless
test positive after swabbing their throats.
Though the rapid test kit
manufacturers recommend using the
tests only as instructed (in other words,
only doing a nasal swab), growing
anecdotal evidence suggests it might be
worth safely swabbing both your throat
and nose. And the general consensus
among doctors is that it's not a bad idea -
especially if you have a sore throat.
According to Andrew Noymer, an
epidemiologist with the University of
California, Irvine, respiratory viruses like
SARS-CoV-2 can infect all parts of our
respiratory tract, which is basically
anything that brings air into your body -
this includes your nose, throat, mouth,
windpipe and lungs.
Although the nose and throat are both
part of the upper respiratory system and
closely connected, there may be some
differences in the amount of virus in the
nose versus the throat. Why this happens
is unclear, but Noymer said it's likely due
to a mix of viral factors - like where and
how the virus replicates - and human
factors. Some scientists suspect saliva
(throat) swabs may be more useful for
detecting omicron since the variant
replicates more efficiently in the upper
respiratory tract. A pre-print study from
South Africa recently found that while
PCR nasal swabs successfully detected all
delta cases, they missed 14% of omicron
cases - while a saliva swab caught all
omicron cases.
Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the
Johns Hopkins University Center for
Health Security and an infectious disease
expert, said swabbing both your nose and
your throat will actually increase the
sensitivity of the tests and therefore
improve the chances that they will detect
the virus. According to Adalja, this
phenomenon occurs with other viruses,
too, like influenza, rhinovirus and
various adenoviruses. In fact, some flu
viruses are more culturable in the throat
than the nose.
"Most viruses replicate in both the
nasopharynx and the oropharynx, which
are anatomically contiguous, and they
[cause] both nasal and throat
symptoms," Adalja said.
Purvi Parikh, an adult and pediatric
allergist and immunologist with Allergy
& Asthma Network, said another reason
a nasal swab might give a negative result
while a throat swab comes back with a
positive one is that many people don't
swab their noses correctly. You really
need to swab deep enough in the sinuses
to get an accurate result. Many viruses
Taking a Covid rapid test
many infectious disease experts believe swabbing both your nose and throat will increase the sensitivity
of at-home CoVId rapid tests.
Photo: Getty
and bacteria drip down from the nose to
the throat. They also shoot up from the
lungs to the throat from coughing.
"A person may not get enough sample
to detect virus if they do the nasal test
incorrectly or do not go deep enough.
Whereas if you have a sore throat, likely
whatever is deep in your nose has
dripped down the back of your throat,"
Parikh said. Parikh recommends
swabbing your throat when it first
becomes sore. Her main tip: Swab your
throat in addition to your nose, not in
place of it.
If you primarily have a sore throat, it
makes sense to go for a throat swab,
Adalja said. If your symptoms are
predominately in your nasal passages, a
nasal swab may be sufficient. "However,
getting samples from both may be the
best practice," Adalja said. Avoid eating,
drinking or using antiseptic mouthwash
for 30 to 60 minutes prior to swabbing
your throat, as this can impact how much
virus can be collected, Parikh said. Think
of it like a strep test - the further back in
the throat you can reach, the more
sensitive the test will be.
Lastly, keep in mind that while throat
testing has always been an option for
COVID-19, the rapid tests have been
specifically designed and authorized as
nasal swab devices. The over-the-counter
test kits have not yet been officially tested
or approved for throat swabbing - but,
still, anecdotal data is worth exploring.
"The FDA, and the manufacturers of
the test kits, need to hop on this and start
doing some studies," Noymer said.
Best skin care resolutions you can make
Abigail Abesamis Demarest
Achieving healthy, glowing
skin doesn't happen overnight.
The new year is a great time to
revamp your skin care routine
and commit to habits that will
help you achieve healthier
skin, but where's the best place
to begin? We asked four
board-certified dermatologists
to share some approachable
skin care resolutions, as well as
their definition of healthy skin.
Dermatologist Joyce Park
defines healthy skin as skin
that successfully performs its
job as your main barrier
against the outside world.
"Healthy skin is strong, not
prone to cracking or breaking,
and looks even and radiant,"
she said. She added that the
definition of healthy skin can
vary from person to person, as
skin concerns and goals can
differ. "For me personally, if
my skin is in a healthy state,
that means I'm not suffering
from my chronic enemy of
hormonal acne," she said.
We know you've heard this
one before (and you're
probably rolling your eyes at
us), but sunscreen is an
everyday skin care must-have.
There's a reason
dermatologists stress the
importance of regular
sunscreen use. "I know
sunscreen isn't 'sexy,' but you
know all the other skin care
products that help to smooth,
tighten, brighten and
otherwise promote glow? You
might as well throw them all in
the trash if you're not using
sunscreen every day," Papri
Sarkar, a dermatologist based
in Brookline, Massachusetts,
told
It all comes down to
protecting your skin. "No
matter what age, ethnicity,
skin tone or gender you
identify with, every person
does better with some
shielding from that beautiful
ball of warmth and UV
radiation in the sky we call the
sun," Sarkar said. She tells her
patients to find a sunscreen
they love and truly don't mind
wearing every day.
Another tip for sticking to
this resolution is to not base
your sunscreen use on the
weather. "Think of it like
brushing your teeth," Sarkar
said. "Just like you don't check
to see if it's sunny outside
before deciding whether to
brush your teeth, you
shouldn't let clouds sway your
sunscreen application." Make
wearing sunscreen a habit so
that it's as much a part of your
daily routine as brushing your
teeth and hair.
Park added that if you can't
wear sunscreen or prefer not
to, sun-protective clothing,
hats and sunglasses are also
good options. No, not the
COVID kind. Give your skin
care regimen an extra boost
once weekly with a face mask
that's appropriate for your skin
type and addresses any
concerns you may have.
"Whether you are using a
mask to treat acne, deliver
moisture or calm inflamed
skin, think of it as extra TLC
for your face," said Annie
Gonzalez, a dermatologist at
Riverchase Dermatology in
Miami. "The benefits of masks,
whatever their designated
purpose, is that they enable
ingredients to more effectively
penetrate into your skin in a
relatively short window of
time." She explained that face
masks create a film that,
depending on the ingredients,
helps to moisturize, exfoliate
or hydrate the skin.
To choose an effective face
mask, you first need to figure
out what your skin type is and
what your skin care goals are.
Gonzalez notes that gel masks
generally work for most skin
types because they're gentle,
lightweight and can quickly
absorb into your skin. They
hydrate and calm while
tightening and firming. For
people with oily, acne-prone
skin, a clay mask can be a good
option, as they soften and
smooth the skin and remove
debris buildup. "Clay masks
also remove blackheads, firm
your skin and work wonders
for the T-zone area," Gonzalez
said.
It's probably time to wash
your pillowcases. Like, right
now. Sarkar recommends
washing them at minimum
one to two times per week, or
at least changing them out
with fresh ones. "People tend
to stretch a blowout as long as
possible," she said. "All that oil,
sweat and product that builds
up on your hair? It gets on
your pillowcases and over time
can get on your face and
increase the possibility of
clogged pores and acne."
In a similar vein, resolve to
remove your makeup
(including eye makeup) before
going to bed. Gonzalez
explained that when you sleep,
your skin renews and repairs
itself, so sleeping with makeup
on impedes this process. This
tip is especially important for
people who are acne-prone, as
most makeup is oil-based.
"Sleeping with makeup on can
increase the odds of breakouts
because the makeup mingles
with built-up debris, making it
the perfect storm for clogged
pores, blackheads, acne and
even cysts," she said.
In a time where we're
constantly bombarded with
marketing and skin care
advice, it's especially
important to put yourself first
and find what works best for
you. Keeping it simple is a
good place to start - forget the
FOMO. "Find a regimen that
addresses the core tenets of
anti-aging and also targets
your particular skin problems
and focus on those," advised
Corey L. Hartman, a
dermatologist at Skin Wellness
Dermatology in Birmingham,
Alabama. "Resist the urge to
follow every marketing ploy
that you're presented with; I
know there are many. You
don't have to try every product
that you hear about."
The new year is a great time
You probably don't need to buy more skin care products. Instead, think about whittling them down.
Photo: Anna Efetova
to take stock of how your skin
feels and how it's behaving.
From there, figure out what it
needs and cut out the filler.
This process is something that
Sarkar does at the start of
every season. "Every year I
whip my skin care routine into
an effective but minimalist one
and then somehow new
products creep into it, and
suddenly my vanity is covered
in skin care bottles again," she
said.
For her, five to six products
work best, but the number for
others may be more or less.
"No matter what your number
is, make sure you're using skin
care deliberately and tackling
what your skin needs at each
time of the year," she said.
"And don't waste money or
time on filler products unless
they bring you joy!" If you
aren't sure what parts of your
skin care routine should be
added or removed, consulting
with a board-certified
dermatologist can help.
Whether you have a 10-step
skin care system or a basic
cleanser and moisturizer,
sticking to a routine over the
long haul will be the most
beneficial to achieving
healthier skin. "The products
and the regimen are secondary
to a commitment to actually
using them regularly,"
Hartman said. "This one
simple tactic will take you
farther than the most
expensive product or in-office
procedure."
LIndSAY HoLmES
On balance, you could argue
we've made a lot of progress
when it comes to mental
health acceptance ? especially
in the last few years. But if the
events that unfolded in 2021
are any indication, there's still
a lot more ground we need to
cover.
There certainly were some
high points in mental health
awareness over the last 365
days, but also some absolute
fails we had to endure. From
bad pundit opinions to
shining moments in sports,
we've witnessed a lot this
year.
Below are some of the best
and worst mental health takes
from 2021 and how we can
markedly improve in the new
year. This summer we saw
two powerful athletes put
their mental well-being over
their games ? and the world is
much better for their
advocacy.
Earlier this summer, tennis
player Naomi Osaka
withdrew from the French
Open, which came after she
said she would boycott the
press at the tournament to
protect her mental health.
Osaka wrote in her
announcement that she
experiences bouts of
depression and has social
anxiety.
In July, U.S. gymnast
Simone Biles withdrew from
the women's gymnastics team
final at the Olympics because
of her mental health.
"Whenever you get in a highstress
situation, you kind of
freak out," she said at the
time. "I have to focus on my
mental health and not
jeopardize my health and
well-being."
Both athletes received
undue criticism (more on that
in a minute) for their
decisions. However, they also
were given a ton of welldeserved
praise. No one
would roll their eyes if they
had suffered a leg or an arm
injury. The brain is a body
part just like any other ? and
it's past time it's treated the
same in sports.
"This year has been a big
year for celebrities talking
about mental health,
particularly in more
underrepresented groups like
athletes or people of color. It
is important for these
conversations to keep
occurring because we need to
normalize seeking help,"
Jessica Gold, an assistant
professor in the department
of psychiatry at the
Washington University
School of Medicine in St.
Louis, told HuffPost.
"We are not yet in a place
where workplaces and
families of all types are open
to talking about mental health
or viewing it the same as
physical health, and having
these examples to start
breaking down the barriers is
necessary," Gold added.
In October, Chance The
Rapper appeared on
Facebook Watch's "Peace of
Mind with Taraji." During the
interview, he opened up to
The best and worst mental
health takes in 2021
Taraji P. Henson and Tracie
Jade about living with PTSD.
"Obviously I deal with
PTSD; I saw my friend killed
in front of me when I was 19
and I've seen people I didn't
know get killed, too," he said
in the interview. "You become
kind of numb to it, like
somebody else died last week
but it stays with you, you
know what I mean? And you
don't realize until later - like, I
have lasting effects."
He also spoke about not
growing up with mental
health awareness and the
pressure put on Black men to
be tough. "I feel like this is
something that we're all, as a
mainstream, we're starting to
be like, 'OK, yeah health is
beyond just our physical,'" he
said.
"It's been truly amazing to
have this many public figures,
including so many male
public figures, speaking
openly about their mental
health," Andrew P. Smiler,
the mental health adviser for
Movember in the U.S., told
HuffPost. "There's clearly a
cultural shift occurring that's
allowing and encouraging
people to prioritize their
mental health."
Earlier this year, Oprah
conducted a dynamic
interview with Prince Harry
and Meghan Markle about
their step back from the royal
family and the mental health
struggles Markle endured
during her time working as a
royal. Markle revealed a
number of shocking
incidents, but perhaps one of
the more heart-wrenching
revelations was that she
experienced suicidal
thoughts.
"Look, I was really ashamed
to have to say it at the time
and ashamed to have to admit
it to Harry especially, because
I know how much loss he's
suffered," she said in the
interview. "But I knew that if I
didn't say that I would do it ...
and I just didn't ? I just didn't
want to be alive anymore.
And that was a very clear and
real and frightening constant
thought."
Markle's story and her
poignant reflections on that
time period resonated with a
lot of viewers, who thanked
her for her vulnerability.
People also felt connected
to Prince Harry during the
interview, who said he
struggled with figuring out
how to help Markle during
that time. His honesty
provided welcome insight
into what it's like to help and
care for a loved one struggling
with their mental health.
"Prince Harry has
emphasized that we all have a
role in helping someone who
may be struggling with their
mental health ? you don't
have to be a mental health
professional," Smiler said.
We'd be remiss not to
mention it: In 2021, federal
and state bodies took two big
steps toward giving people
with mental health conditions
the legitimacy and attention
they deserve.
In 2020, the U.S. Senate
officially greenlit 9-8-8, a
new national phone number
that more easily connects
people to the National
Suicide Prevention Hotline.
This year, state governments
began adopting the number
into their own laws. Starting
in July 2022, people will be
able to dial 9-8-8 to connect
to counselors when in crisis,
similar to how they can dial
9-1-1 in an emergency.
And in an important move
in the fight against COVID-
19, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
added schizophrenia and
mood disorders like
depression to their official
list of underlying medical
conditions in October,
formally recognizing the
diseases as high-risk factors
for coronavirus. This
allowed people with mental
health conditions to get
booster shots earlier than
the general population.
Mental health advocates also
said adding the conditions to
the list helped further
solidify the fact that mental
health is health.
In a series of tweets back
in July, media personality
Megyn Kelly implied that
Naomi Osaka wasn't really
suffering from anxiety.
Instead, Kelly insisted the
tennis star just didn't like
answering certain questions.
"Since saying she's too
introverted to talk to the
media after tennis matches,
Naomi Osaka has launched
a reality show, a Barbie, and
now is on the cover of the SI
Swimsuit Issue," sports
analyst Clay Travis tweeted,
which Kelly quote-tweeted
before adding: "let's not
forget the cover of (&
interview in) Vogue Japan
and Time Mag!"
Osaka responded to Kelly's
comment in a since-deleted
tweet and then blocked the
journalist.
Kelly reacted to that by
saying: "Poor @naomiosaka
blocked me while taking a
shot at me (guess she's only
tough on the courts). She is
apparently arguing that she
shot her many covers b/4
publicly claiming she was
too socially anxious to deal
w/press. Truth is she just
doesn't like Qs she can't
control. Admit it."
Mental health issues like
social anxiety are invisible
conditions. Because of this,
many people's experiences
with them are often
questioned or not believed.
This is especially true when
someone is high-functioning
? in other words, they appear
fine, so others think they
must not really be suffering.
This is exactly what Kelly
implied with her tweets.
Simone Biles showed the world what it means to win gold and also
look after your mental health.
Photo: Jamie Squire