How to prepare for swabbing procedures

25. May 2021.

Oral and nasal swabs

A swab is taken in the morning before meals. If the swab is taken during the day, the time interval between food intake and swab collection should be at least 1 hour. Swabs for microbiological analysis should not be taken if the patient is on antibiotic therapy. A control sample after antibiotic therapy should be taken at least 7 days after the end of therapy or at the request of a doctor. It is necessary to wait for at least 12 hours after the local application of the antiseptic.

Genital swabs

Female patients preparing for the vaginal and/or cervical swab should not have intercourse the day before.
Cervical swabs for chlamydia and mycoplasma should not be taken during ovulation (mid-menstrual cycle).
Patients preparing for the urethral swab should not urinate 1-2 hours before sampling.

Skin, wound swabs and other swabs

It is necessary to wait for at least 12 hours from the local application of the antiseptic.

The wound can be infected with bacteria found on or in the patient or bacteria from the environment. Before taking a swab, the patient must not use antibiotics or any creams or ointments.

During the treatment, it is necessary to repeat the swab, because very often such patients develop resistance to antibiotics.