The height of the COVID-19 crisis may be behind us, but upper respiratory infections (URIs) aren’t going anywhere. With flu, RSV and potential new threats on the horizon, our next public health victory starts with proactive preparation.
Here’s how pandemic learnings — and up-and-coming specimen collection solutions — have given us an opportunity to reimagine effective URI pathogen identification both now and in the future.
The Post-COVID Playbook: What We Learned the Hard Way
COVID-19 pulled back the curtain on just how unprepared many health systems were when it came to mass testing and early containment. Overwhelmed hospitals, rampant misinformation, confusing protocols and uncomfortable sampling methods caused testing delays and catalyzed disease spread.
The difference among countries that prioritized preparedness versus those that didn’t became clear early on. Take South Korea and the United States as an example:
- South Korea and the U.S. both confirmed their first case on 20, 2020, yet South Korea already had infrastructure in place for swift implementation of mass testing and contact tracing — built after previous outbreaks.
- Despite a higher population density, South Korea limited its caseload to 21 cases and 0.5 deaths per 100,000 people by April 28, 2020.
- In contrast, the U.S. experienced a much larger caseload, reaching 297 cases and 17 deaths per 100,000 people by April 28, 2020.
This delayed detection not only cost lives but also cost the economy.
What could have shifted the curve sooner? A sampling method supporting greater public acceptance and more reliable diagnoses — especially during the critical treatment window.
The Willingness Factor: If It’s Easy, People Will Do It
Public compliance with testing relies heavily on patient comfort — something the nasal swab sampling method lacks. Invasive, painful and prone to collection errors, many individuals cringe at the thought of ramming a swab up their nose.
This hesitation often leads to poor specimen collection, or worse yet, testing avoidance altogether. This 2021 study from Sage Journals found that of nearly 2,000 U.S. survey respondents weighing their sampling options:
- 34% considered testing comfort most important
- 20% refused testing entirely due to discomfort
This clearly highlights the need for a safer, more comfortable method. MicroWash, for example, is a nasal lavage specimen collection device that samples from the entire nasopharyngeal cavity but is virtually pain-free.
In fact, many say the process is refreshing. Independent research indicates patient pain ratings with MicroWash average just 0.3 out of 10, compared to the nasal swab at 8 out of 10.
A solution that doesn’t just feel better than the swab, but also provides a more sensitive sample, will be pivotal in future virus management. The more people get tested, the more people get accurate diagnoses and appropriate and timely treatment. And the faster that happens, the faster we stop the spread.
The Speed Factor: The Impact of Higher-Sensitivity Samples, Sooner
URIs diagnosed and treated within the first three days of symptom onset versus those addressed later are proven to lead to better health outcomes. However, the right treatment depends on the right diagnosis; and the right diagnosis depends on a sample’s sensitivity and specificity of results.
Unfortunately, during the pandemic we relied heavily on swab-based antigen test kits that yielded:
- High false negative rates during the first four days after symptom onset
- Low-sensitivity samples
- Detection of up to three pathogens (usually just one)
MicroWash sampling plus PCR testing, on the other hand, provides up to 49% greater sample sensitivity than swabs and detects 10+ pathogens, supporting a smoother diagnosis-to-treatment pipeline. The device also seamlessly integrates with existing lab processes to further accelerate answers.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antivirals and targeted therapeutics can lead to quicker symptom relief, reduced severity and a lower risk of long-term complications, according to a 2025 study from the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
This promotes global wellness both in the short term, as sick individuals recover sooner and are less contagious, and in the long term, due to a reduction in disease burden leading to fewer cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory complications.
The Accessibility Factor: Shelf-Life Matters
You never know when the next epidemic or pandemic outbreak will strike. When it does, will your healthcare organization be ready? To start disease prevention measures off strong (and at a moment’s notice), you’ll need a solution that offers:
- Longer Shelf Life: Nasal swabs kits generally expire after one to two years, limiting future preparedness and increasing inventory costs. MicroWash kits have up to a three-year shelf life.
- Stockpiling Capabilities: MicroWash kits can be more economically stockpiled for future use compared to nasal swab kits because of their longer shelf life. It should also be noted that the MicroWash device itself has a 10+ year shelf life if stockpiled without a saline syringe. MicroWash kits do not contain viral transport medium, which was in critical shortage during the COVID-19 outbreak, further hampering its pandemic response. A saline syringe could easily be provided at the time of URI outbreak to complete the MicroWash kit.
- Reimbursement Pathway: A reimbursement pathway for MicroWash sample collection has been identified, further improving widespread access and affordability of the kits.
Better Prevention Starts with Better Preparation
MicroWash is revolutionizing nasal sampling for good.
COVID-19 taught us that while hindsight is always 20/20, foresight is important too. How we act today will shape tomorrow’s health outcomes, which means the time to invest in a more comfortable, reliable and scalable diagnostics solution is now — and that solution is MicroWash.
Contact our medical experts to see how you can equip your healthcare system with this game-changing specimen collection device — and become a champion for proactive virus containment.
