What can be diagnosed from a throat culture?

A throat swab culture, or throat culture, is a test commonly used to diagnose bacterial infections in the throat. These infections can include strep throat, pneumonia, tonsillitis, whooping cough, and meningitis.

What does a throat swab culture test for?

A throat swab culture is a laboratory test that is done to identify germs that may cause infection in the throat. It is most often used to diagnose strep throat.

What does a positive throat culture mean?

A throat culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A sample of cells from the back of your throat is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If no germs grow, the culture is negative. If germs that can cause infection grow, the culture is positive.

How do you read strep throat culture results?

If you or your child has not already provided a sample, you will get another swab test. If the throat culture was positive, it means you or your child has strep throat or other strep infection. If the throat culture was negative, it means your symptoms are not being caused by strep A bacteria.

How long do throat culture results take?

Results take about 2 to 5 days, because it takes a while for germs to grow in a lab. But if your doctor thinks you might have strep, they’ll do a quick strep test during your visit.

Can throat culture detect virus?

A throat culture shows the difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection. This can help guide treatment.

How long does it take for a culture to come back?

Most test samples don’t include enough cells for that. So your sample is sent to a lab to allow the cells to grow until there are enough to test. Most disease-causing bacteria will be ready for testing within one to two days, but some types of bacteria take five days or longer to grow enough cells.

Will a throat culture show thrush?

Examples of infections that may be found during a throat culture include: Candida albicans. This fungus causes thrush, an infection of the mouth and tongue and sometimes of the throat. Group A streptococcus.

How do you know if a strep test is positive?

The test quickly shows if group A strep is causing the illness. If the test is positive, doctors can prescribe antibiotics. If the test is negative, but a doctor still suspects strep throat, then the doctor can take a throat culture swab. A throat culture takes time to see if group A strep bacteria grow from the swab.

How long do swabs take to come back from doctors?

Your results will normally be sent back to your dermatology doctor three to five days after the pathology department has received your sample.

How long does it take to get culture results?

You may be able to get early results within 24 hours of your blood tests. But you might need to wait 48 to 72 hours to learn what kind of yeast or bacteria is causing your infection. You might need other tests, too. You may be able to get early results within 24 hours of your blood tests.