ear, nose, and throat disorders
How To Swab a Throat for Testing
Equipment for Swabbing a Throat
Sterile swab Tongue depressor Light source; flexible lamp or head-mounted light Use swabs supplied with the specific test kit being used or by the facility's laboratory. If none are supplied, use a swab with a plastic or wire shaft and a rayon, Dacron, or calcium alginate tip. Avoid swabs with wooden shafts and/or cotton tips because these materials may interfere with certain tests. 