Throat Culture

This procedure is usually ordered on a person who has symptoms of a sore throat, with or without fever.

Most often, the primary purpose of the culture is to distinguish strep throat due to Group A strep, which has a specific curative treatment, from other causes of sore throat that can only be treated to relieve symptoms.

A tongue depressor is used to hold the tongue down. A special swab is inserted into the mouth and brushed against the throat and tonsils. The swab is then sent to a laboratory to see if there are any bacteria. Some healthcare professionals' offices are able to do this analysis on site.

The procedure only takes a minute. It is usually done in the healthcare professional's office. A person can generally go home right after the throat culture is done. The healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotics for the person to take pending the results of the throat culture, and instruct the individual to avoid close contact with others for 24 hours after the first dose.

If the result is positive, the person needs to finish the course of antibiotics. If it is negative, the person should stop the antibiotics, and take throat lozenges or other medication to relieve the symptoms.

The person can resume their normal activities once they have gotten over their sore throat.

There are no complications from the procedure. Having a throat culture done is harmless and only slightly uncomfortable. Sometimes children may gag or even vomit from having the back of their throat touched.