Collection Instructions

Collection Instructions:

1. Depress tongue gently with a tongue depressor.

2. Extend the sterile dual swab between the tonsillar pillars and behind the uvula. Avoid touching the cheeks, tongue, uvula or lips.

3. Sweep the swabs back and forth across the posterior pharynx, tonsillar areas and any inflamed or ulcerated areas to obtain sample.

4. Replace the swabs in the transport tube and crush the ampule of transort media. THE AMPULE MUST BE CRUSHED so the transport media moistens the end of the swab to insure the viability of the microorganisms.

5. THROAT CULTURE <5 YRS includes culture for group A Streptococcus and also for Haemophilus influenzae.

6. THROAT CULTURE will be done ONLY IF the patient's age is indicated as 5 years or younger and/or the clinical presentation indicates croup or acute epiglottitis.