Throat Swab

A throat swab is done to diagnose bacterial infection of the throat like strep throat. The sample collected from a throat swab is checked for the presence of organisms that can cause an infection.

Recently Answered Questions Recently Answered Questions

All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

I am worried that my son may have swine flu. Should we get him tested for swine flu?

Query: Hello doctor, My 26 month old son had a 100-degree fever yesterday morning. So, I gave him Combiflam and he was fine the entire day. The next morning, he got a fever of 103-degree. So, we took him to the doctor, who said that it is a throat infection. Besides a fever and mild cough, he did not have ...  Read Full »


Dr. Preeti Puranik

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If he is active otherwise, I suggest you continue the medicines which the doctor has prescribed for one more day and closely monitor him. If he is easily tired, and not too active, then the swine flu test can be considered. If he is active but, a high fever continues ...  Read Full »

Are my lymph nodes swollen due to an allergy to fried foods?

Query: Hi doctor,I am a 35-year-old male. I had a fever of 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit on the eighth of last month, which only lasted for a day. But the fever was followed by a few symptoms. After the fever, my lymph nodes at the back of my ear were swollen. I also had a sore throat and mouth ulcers. My body ...  Read Full »


Dr. Shyam Kalyan. N

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Are you still having enlarged lymph nodes? Are those painful to touch? Is the size still the same as when you observed first? Is there any change? Do you have any throat pain now? Was any throat swab test done? Any blood test? Any difficulty or pain while swall...  Read Full »

What are the signs of tonsillitis?

Query: Hi doctor, My 15 year old daughter always gets sick. When I take her to the doctor, every time he used to say it as viral infection. This is the fifth time in a year she has been sick with the same symptoms. Her symptoms are cough, low fever, sore throat and yellowish white colored mucus covering h...  Read Full »


Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Let me first enlighten you about tonsils. Tonsils are a pair of soft tissues located on either side of your pharynx. They are lymphoid tissue and play an important role in immune system to fight infections and act as first line defense for throat infections. Active inf...  Read Full »

Does my sore throat look like strep?

Query: Hi doctor, I am suffering from sore throat. Three days ago, it initially started with pain and the redness appeared shortly after. I have had strep about three times now. It hurts when I yawn and swallow. I feel a little dry even though I have been gargling with water. I woke up this morning with a ...  Read Full »


Dr. Shyam Kalyan. N

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. We are happy to help you. With the details you have provided and the photo you shared (attachment removed to protect patient identity), I have come to the conclusion that you are having an acute tonsillopharyngitis. This is the infection of pharynx (upper part of the ...  Read Full »

I have severe throat pain. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, I feel as though I may have Streptococcus infection or tonsillitis. I have been fine healthwise. All of a sudden this morning I woke up with severe throat pain. I am Type A Streptococcus. When I had Streptococcus infection, my lymph nodes never hurt too much and they were never too swolle...  Read Full »


Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana

Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.The condition you have is URTI (upper respiratory tract infection) with odynophagia (pain on swallow). It includes GAS (group A Streptococcus) causing tonsillitis and tonsillopharyngitis. It is an infectious disease and usually a childhood disease. Recurrent streptococcal i...  Read Full »

I have a sore throat and lost my voice due to it. How to treat it?

Query: Hi doctor, I am 19 years old. Over four weeks ago, I started getting a sore throat and lost my voice for about a month now. I have a sore neck like something is grabbing it. My voice has been sore if I try and talk. I have mucus coming up, which is white colored with some blood. I am on Penicillin V...  Read Full »


Dr. Shyam Kalyan. N

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would suggest you take a swab of the throat mucus and ascertain the organism that is growing and producing the symptoms. The sensitivity pattern will reveal whether the organism is responding to the antibiotic being taken. To help lighten the mucus and remove it...  Read Full »

My flu symptoms seem to be getting worse. What should I do to feel better?

Query: Hello doctor,I became sick yesterday, and it just seems to be getting worse. I can barely stay awake. I have flu-like symptoms, including severe aches in muscles and joints, pain and tiredness around the eyes, weakness or extreme fatigue, warm, flushed skin, red and watery eyes, a headache, sore thr...  Read Full »


Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. This is the flu season, and winter started out of nowhere. This sudden change in weather leads to more flu cases than cold weather, which kicks in gradually. People are not acclimatized yet, so it is highly suggested to observe all ...  Read Full »

What could be the reason and treatment for recurrent tonsillitis?

Query: Hello doctor, My daughter is 20 years old and has had tonsil problems for the last six days. She took medicine for the last six days but did not get any relief. She often has the problem of tonsils at two to three months intervals. I have tested the CBC. Kindly suggest a remedy. I am also worried ab...  Read Full »


Dr. Deepthi. M

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If the tonsillar infection is not reduced with regular medical management in six days, it indicates that it is chronic tonsillitis. The treatment given may be inadequate or resistant to the organism causing infection. You need to consult an ENT doctor in person and t...  Read Full »

I have difficulty in swallowing and a sore throat. What should I do?

Query: Hello doctor, I have a fever for almost three days. The first day it was not a high temperature. I had difficulty swallowing and I had a sore throat. Today, the fever is 39.3 Celsius. I had tonsillitis three times before and I have been prescribed Co-amoxiclav, Dequadin, and Strepsils. Please help.  Read Full »


Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post. You are already on antibiotics. It would be better to get a throat swab done and a CBC (complete blood count). I suggest you change the antibiotic to Levofloxacin 500 mg once a day. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her ...  Read Full »

Is cough medicine safe while breastfeeding?

Query: Hi doctor, My wife is a lactating mother of two months old baby. Since one week she is suffering from bad dry cough. For the past two days she is unable to sleep. For every five to ten minutes she gets cough. We consulted a doctor and had medicine. But, still there is no relief. I attached the medic...  Read Full »


Dr. Divakara. P

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and the prescription (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Most likely your wife might be having throat infection for which she has not received proper treatment. I recommend her to get a test called throat swab culture sensitivity a...  Read Full »

ask-doctor-img Ask a Doctor Online

* Your first query consult is free!

Search for a Health Issue



Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.