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| Definition: |
A laboratory test done to isolate and identify organisms that may cause infection in the throat.
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| Alternative Names: |
Throat culture and sensitivity; Culture - throat
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| How the test is performed: |
| The back of the throat is swabbed with a sterile cotton swab near the area of the tonsils and placed in a tube of culture medium. In order to improve the chances of detecting bacteria, the swab may be used to scrape the back of the throat several times. This test is used primarily to identify strep throat, however depending on the type of culture medium used, other organisms may be detected.
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| How to prepare for the test: |
Tilt your head back with your mouth wide open. Resist gagging and closing the mouth while the swab touches the back of the throat near the tonsils. Do not use antiseptic mouthwashes before the test.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
| Your throat may be sore at the time the test is taken. You may experience a gagging sensation when the back of your throat is touched with the swab, but the test only lasts a few seconds. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| The test is performed when a throat infection is suspected, particularly "strep throat". |
| Normal Values: |
| The presence of the usual mouth and throat bacteria is a normal finding. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
The growth of certain organisms such as group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, which causes strep throat, as well as other organisms which cause diphtheria and gonorrhea is abnormal and may indicate infection.
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| What the risks are: |
| This test is safe and well-tolerated. In very few patients, the sensation of gagging may lead to an urge to vomit or cough. |
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Review Date: 10/8/2001
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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