• What is a bacteria culture test?

  Bacteria are a large group of one-celled organisms. They can live on different places in the body. Some types of bacteria are harmless or even beneficial. Others can cause infections and disease. A bacteria culture test can help find harmful bacteria in your body. During a bacteria culture test, a sample will be taken from your blood, urine, skin, or other part of your body. The type of sample depends on the location of the suspected infection. The cells in your sample will be taken to a lab and put in a special environment in a lab to encourage cell growth. Results are often available within a few days. But some types of bacteria grow slowly, and it may take several days or longer.

• What is it used for?
• Why do I need a bacteria culture test?
• Why do I have to wait so long for my results?
• Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
• Are there any risks to the test?
• What do the results mean?
• Is there anything else I should know about a bacteria culture?
• References

• Nasal Swab Reference Range

  Use the slider below to see how your results affect your health.

  Your result is Negative.

  A negative result means no harmful viruses or bacteria were found in your sample.
• What is a nasal swab?
• What is it used for?
• Why do I need a nasal swab?
• What happens during a nasal swab?
• Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
• Are there any risks to the test?
• What do the results mean?
• References

Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."