Having a Throat Culture taken tomorrow.
What will happen ? Will it hurt ?
Scared about having something stuck down my throat !!!
Makes me gag really badly.
Can't stand anything, touching back of my throat.
2007-01-11 10:27:41 · 4 answers · asked by lauren w 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
It's really not a big deal and I agree with you, I hate having them done. I always just hold my tongue and just close my eyes. Usually whomever is doing it will swab really fast because they know the discomfort you feel. You will be okay and it's better to find out if you have anything wrong with you, so just take the minor temporary irritation, and then go get something to drink. I promise you will make it through the culture without a problem. Just be patient and take a breath! Good luck!!!
2007-01-11 10:42:36 · answer #1 · answered by Jyse 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A throat culture merely means taking a sample of the bacteria growing in your throat- usually in the vicinity of your tonsils, or where your tonsils should be. The doctor uses a wooden tongue depressor to press your tongue down out of his way, and a long Q-tip to quickly swab the back of your throat. It's over and done with pretty fast, and completely painless. You might gag a little, if he triggers your gag reflex, but that's about all. Nothing gets shoved down your throat, the tongue depressor stays on your tongue and the swab is a straight in shot to the rear and out again. I can do one a lot faster than it takes me to type this and you to even read it. Afterwards, the swab goes into a tube with a growing medium and off to the lab, where it gets smeared on a plate. The plate goes into an incubator, and 24 hours later a technician will give it a look to see what's growing. They will look again after 48 and 72 hours, identify whatever bacteria or virus is growing, and send the report back to the doctor. He then decides what is needed to treat you and make you feel better. None of it is a big deal. As tests go, throat cultures are the easiest, it could be worse and involve blood and needles. That would make the q-tip look real good.
2007-01-11 18:38:14 · answer #2 · answered by The mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think i had one done to check if i had strep..i'm not sure if its the same thing
they made me stick my tongue out and go "aaaaah" and she quickly swabebd it with a big q-tip. it didnt hurt at all.
2007-01-11 18:37:01 · answer #3 · answered by [Maria] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a deep breath ; you will be ok ; it takes only a very short time and it does not hurt
2007-01-11 18:35:43 · answer #4 · answered by Nora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋