What is Throat culture?
[[File:Exam clinique - gorge - CDC 10189.jpg|thumb|A boy having bacteria collected from his throat]] A '''throat culture''' is a [[medical]] test which looks for [[bacteria]] or [[fungus]] that cause [[infection]]s in the [[throat]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url= https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003746.htm |title=Throat swab culture |first= |last= |encyclopedia=MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia|year=2012 |accessdate=20 March 2012}}</ref> A [[sterile]] piece of cotton is rubbed across the back of the throat near the [[tonsil]]s. This may cause a person to want to [[cough]] or [[vomit]]. The bacteria on the cotton are then grown in a [[laboratory]] where scientists can identify them using a [[microscope]]. ==References== {{reflist}} {{med-stub}} [[Category:Medical tests]]