Supplies for Submission
M4 viral transport media and swab package
Specimen Collection
Select any one of the collection options and use swab from the provided M4 viral media and swab package to collect sample.
- Nasopharyngeal swab collection – collected by healthcare provider only
- Oropharyngeal (throat) swab – self-collected or collected by healthcare provider
- Nasal mid-turbinate (deep nasal) swab – self-collected or collected by healthcare provider
Nasopharyngeal swab collection - Tilt patient's head back 70 degrees.
- Insert swab into nostril parallel to palate. (Swab should reach depth equal to distance from nostrils to outer opening of the ear.)
- Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
- Slowly remove swab while rotating it.
- Place tip of swab into viral transport media and snap off the applicator stick.
Oropharyngeal (throat) swab collection- Insert the swab into the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas.
- Rub the swab over both tonsillar pillars and posterior oropharynx and avoid touching the tongue, teeth, and gums.
- Place tip of swab into viral transport media and snap off the applicator stick.
Nasal mid-turbinate (deep nasal) swab collection
- Tilt patient’s head back 70 degrees.
- While gently rotating the swab, insert swab less than one inch (about 2 cm) into the nostril until resistance is met at turbinates.
- Rotate the swab several times against nasal wall and repeat in the other nostril using the same swab.
- Place tip of swab into viral transport media and snap off the applicator stick.
Storage Requirements
Critical Refrigerated
Specimens are stable if refrigerated for 72 hours or frozen (-20 °C) for 1 week.