A throat culture is a medical test which looks for bacteria or fungus that cause infections in the throat.[1] A sterile piece of cotton is rubbed across the back of the throat near the tonsils. This may cause a person to want to cough or vomit. The bacteria on the cotton are then grown in a laboratory where scientists can identify them using a microscope.

A boy having bacteria collected from his throat

References change

  1. "Throat swab culture". MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.