Throat swab culture Test

The test is performed to differentiate between viral and bacterial throat infections. It also helps the doctor decide if you need antibiotics. In case the infection is mild, you may recover without antibiotics. However, if the condition is due to strep throat, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics as they are essential for a speedy recovery and to prevent the transmission of the disease to close contacts.

Your doctor may order this test if you have the following symptoms and signs:

• High fever starting suddenly and lasting longer than usual
• Sore throat which lasts longer than seven days
• Painful swallowing
• Swollen tonsils
• Red and white patches in the throat and on the tonsils
• Swollen lymph nodes on the sides of the neck

Other symptoms which may be seen include:

• Headache 
• Stomach ache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• A skin rash called scarlet fever

No special preparations are needed for this test. However, it is important that the test is performed before starting antibiotics, as they will prevent the growth of the bacteria and affect the results. Inform your doctor if you are taking any prescription and non-prescription medicines or supplements. It is also best to avoid antiseptic mouthwashes before the procedure, as they may alter the results. If you have any other queries about the test, this is the time to ask your doctor.

A throat swab is collected from the back of the throat using a special cotton swab. Your doctor or nurse will explain the steps of the procedure. If your child is being tested, you may wish to place the child on your lap during the procedure.

• You will be asked to tilt your head backwards and open your mouth as wide as possible.
• Using a tongue depressor (flat stick), the doctor will press your tongue against the floor of your mouth. This helps get a better view of the throat 
• He/she will then brush a cotton swab against the back of your throat, tonsils and any red areas to collect the sample
• The sample will be immediately sent to the laboratory for testing

You may experience slight discomfort when the cotton swab touches the throat. The test is, however, not associated with any risks. 

Results usually take two to three days to show up from the day of collection of the sample. 

Normal results:

If the results are normal, the test is reported as negative. It means Streptococcus was not found in the given sample and hence your symptoms are not due to strep throat. Depending on your health, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and antipyretic (fever-reducing) medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol to offer relief from symptoms.

Abnormal results:

An abnormal result is reported as positive. It means that the sample has shown bacterial growth with strep throat bacteria. Your doctor will prescribe appropriate antibiotics to suppress the growth of streptococci in such case. 

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.