Specimen Type/Requirements

Preferred:  1 Throat swab submitted in Aptima(R) Multitest transport tube (orange label)

Acceptable:  1 Throat swab submitted in Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection kit (white label)

Using a tongue depressor, insert the swab and vigorously rub the tonsils and the posterior pharynx. Carefully remove the swab without touching any area of the mouth.  Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the swab into the transport tube. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line. Re-cap the swab specimen transport tube tightly, label and send to lab. 

Specimen will be rejected if the transport tube has 2 swabs, transport tube with non-Aptima swabs, or swab submitted in viral transport media.