... Coughing Trouble breathing Sore throat Stuffy or runny nose Fatigue Loss of appetite Fever What happens during a respiratory pathogens panel? There are two ways your provider may take a sample for testing: Nasopharyngeal swab : You will tip your head back. Your provider will gently insert a swab into your nostril, pushing it until you feel it stopping. This is about 1 to 2 inches into your nostril, until it reaches the top part of your throat. Your provider will rotate the swab and remove it. Nasal aspirate: Your provider will squirt a saline solution ( ...