Nasopharyngeal swab
○ Insert tip of swab into nostril aiming along the floor of nasal cavity until posterior wall of nasopharynx is reached. Resistance will be felt when reached. Rotate swab for 10-30s. Place swab into transport medium and close tube. Repeat collection with second nostril.
Nasal aspirates:
○ Connect mucus trap to suction pump and catheter. Insert end of catheter through external nares to posterior pharynx. Apply suction, slowly withdraw catheter so it is only in nasopharynx for 10s. Flush material out of catheter with small volume of sterile saline (1-1.5 mL).
Throat swab:
○ Collect the specimen using a clean, sterile swab by swabbing the posterior oropharynx vigorously and placing it in viral transport medium.
Urine:
○ Collect urine into a clean, sterile container. Transport to the microbiology laboratory ASAP.
CSF:
○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 1 mL of CSF by lumbar puncture.