A nasopharyngeal swab is a tool used to collect cells from the upper throat for testing. It can identify respiratory diseases and potential pathogens like swine flu. The swab is inserted into the nose and rotated to collect cells, and the sample is sent to a lab for testing. Results can guide treatment and help track disease outbreaks.
A nasopharyngeal swab is a sample collection tool used to sample cells in the nasopharynx, the upper region of the throat. If a patient has what appears to be an upper respiratory infection, the doctor may use a swab to collect a sample for testing, especially if the patient also has a fever. In a laboratory, technicians can check for common infectious agents, including potential pathogens such as swine flu. This test can be uncomfortable for patients, but it allows for rapid identification of serious respiratory disease, especially conditions that may require isolation or infection precautions to protect other patients.
The swab consists of a polyester puff on the end of a flexible plastic probe. Cotton and other natural materials cannot be used in a nasopharyngeal swab because they may contain impurities that could interfere with the test. It typically comes in a sealed package that the healthcare provider can place next to the patient along with a sample container that includes medium designed to keep cells and microorganisms alive for evaluation.
Gloves and a face shield are typically worn for nasopharyngeal swab collection. Face protection is a precaution in case the patient has an infectious respiratory disease. To collect the sample, the swab is gently inserted into the nose, pushing it back to reach the nasopharynx. This is usually uncomfortable and patients may flinch or turn away; for this reason, they are sometimes asked to sit with their heads against a wall or pillow to suppress this reaction.
Once the nasopharyngeal swab is fully inserted, the healthcare professional may rotate it briefly to collect a mixture of cells, withdraw it, and drop it into the specimen collection container. This should be forwarded to a laboratory immediately for testing. If it waits or is not stored in cool conditions, there is a risk of killing off any organisms that may be present in the sample, which could result in a false negative test result. Patients can expect results in varying times, depending on the number of samples the laboratory has to process.
The tests can scan for a variety of common organisms. In a region where there is an infectious disease outbreak, the nasopharyngeal swab may be marked to test for an organism such as swine flu. The test results can be used to guide treatment for the patient. They can also help epidemiologists track the movement of disease through a community, which can be invaluable for controlling outbreaks.
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