Flu Swab
What is a Flu Swab and what does it do?
This test is advised, during the flu season, when the patient displays flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, body ache, runny nose, sore throat and cough accompanied by extreme fatigue or diarrhea and vomiting.
Who performs the test?
A respiratory therapist or Lab technician
Where does it take place?
At Jackson Hospital in the Respiratory Department or in the Lab located in the Outpatient Center at the Hudnall Building, Room 110 (located adjacent to the Hospital).
How long does it take?
About 5 minutes
What you can do to make it a success?
Please be sure to bring your doctor’s orders with you the day of your test. Allow 15 minutes to register.
What to do before your exam?
There is no special preparation needed for this test.
What happens during your exam?
Swabs are taken from the throat and nose of a suspected patient and sent to the laboratory for testing.
A dry swab is inserted into one nostril and then back into the nasopharynx (upper throat). This is left in place for some seconds and then gently rotated, and removed. The procedure is repeated with the other nostril with a different swab. The swabs are then placed into a vial or tube containing a special liquid viral transport medium. This is placed in a sealed plastic zippered bag and transported by courier to the health lab, where it is kept in a refrigerator until it can be tested.
What to do after your exam?
You may resume normal activity after your study. Your physician should have the results of your study in 24-48 hours.
Contact Information:
Hospital (main operator): (850) 526-2200
Respiratory Department (850) 718-2545