Specimen Requirements

Nasopharyngeal swab:  Carefully insert the polyester, rayon or flocked nylon mini-tip swab beneath inferior turbinate and vigorously rub and roll against mucosal surface. Remove swab from nose, and immediately replace swab in 1 mL of saline or Liquid Amies/ESwab or Universal Viral Transport Media.

Throat swabs or swabs in medium containing charcoal are unacceptable.