What does a culture swab test for?

A throat swab culture, or throat culture, is a test commonly used to diagnose bacterial infections in the throat. These infections can include strep throat, pneumonia, tonsillitis, whooping cough, and meningitis.

What is wound swab culture?

A skin or wound culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A sample of skin, tissue, or fluid is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If no germs grow, the culture is negative. If germs that can cause an infection grow, the culture is positive.

How do you do a swab culture?

Swab the wound from margin to margin in a 10-point zigzag fashion. Use enough pressure to express fluid from within the wound tissue. Place the swab in the culture medium, label it according to your facility’s policies and procedures, and send it to the lab as soon as possible. Redress the wound as ordered.

How long does it take for swab cultures to come back?

Results take about 2 to 5 days, because it takes a while for germs to grow in a lab.

How to collect a throat swab for Culture?

Use a culturette swab to collect a throat culture. When obtaining the specimen, depress the tongue with a tongue blade and swab the tonsillar pillars and behind the uvula including any inflamed or purulent sites. Avoid touching the tongue, cheeks or teeth.

What is a NP culture swab?

For a culture or for a test for genetic material ( PCR ), a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or nasal aspirate is used. The nasopharyngeal swab is collected by having the patient tip their head back and then a Dacron swab (like a long Q-tip with a small head) is gently inserted into one of the nostrils until resistance is met.

What is nasal swab culture?

A nasopharyngeal culture is a quick, painless test used to diagnose upper respiratory infections. A culture is a way of identifying infectious organisms by allowing them to grow in a laboratory. For this test, your secretions are collected using a swab. Results from this test are generally available within 48 hours.

How do you swab for throat culture?

A throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat. It is most often used to diagnose strep throat. You will be asked to tilt your head back and open your mouth wide. Your health care provider will rub a sterile cotton swab along the back of your throat near your tonsils.