Depress the tongue or have the
patient "pant rapidly like a puppy" so that the back of the throat can
be seen.
Use the swab from the aerobic
transport medium.
As shown in the figure, place the
swab against the back wall of the throat and move it up and down
so that you are reaching up under the uvula. Also touch any white
patches
in the tonsillar area. The patient should gag.
Avoid the tongue and cheek.
Place the swab in the transport
medium.
Group A streptococcus is the only
pathogen routinely identified. Other pathogens can be requested (eg.
R/O GC, R/O diphtheria)
