Throat Infections
Patients presenting with a sore throat, with or without lymphadenopathy should have a throat swab in bacterial transport medium containing charcoal(BTM) for investigation for Group A streptococci. (pneumococci, Haemophilus spp., Staph aureus and Corynebacterium diphtheriae are also recorded).  Viral investigations are usually unnecessary, although a Paul Bunnell test (see Haematology) may be appropriate. Viral PCR is available on throat swabs taken into viral transport medium (VTM) and can be useful in the diagnosis of encephalitis and some other viral infections such as severe glandular fever.
 
 
Mouth Infections
Mouth swabs are usually only of value in the confirmation of thrush.  Dental infections are best diagnosed by sending pus in a sterile bottle, but if this is unavailable, a BTM swab may be sent.
 
Nose Infections
Nose swabs for bacterial culture are of little use in diagnosing URTI but are useful in the demonstration of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus.
 
Ear Infections
Swabs for bacteriological and fungal investigations may be sent in cases of otitis externa. In cases of otitis media, if tympanic membrane perforation has occurred, secretions from the middle ear may be available.
 
Sinusitis
Antral Washouts (see in section on Fluid, Tissue and Pus samples) may be submitted.
 
Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis swabs should only be collected if the infant's airway is secure. In such situations, swabs sent in bacterial transport medium with charcoal(BTM) would be investigated for Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Blood cultures should be collected in all cases of suspected epiglottitis.
 
Bronchiolitis and Croup
Nasopharygeal secretions should be collected and submitted for viral investigations.