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How to Culture the Influenza Virus

Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory infection that is usually marked by fever, cough, and fatigue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 to 20 percent of Americans get the flu every year, and over 200,000 are hospitalized due to complications. Influenza is difficult to diagnose without cultures because symptoms mimic those of other illnesses, like bacterial infection, although they are treated with different medications. The influenza virus may be cultured through nasal wash (injecting saline into the nostrils) or throat swab (swabbing the back of the mouth).

Things You'll Need

  • Viral swab culture kit
  • Small plastic-lined cup
  • 10mL syringe of saline
  • Plastic bag
  • Ice
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a small plastic bag halfway with ice and obtain a viral culture kit from the refrigerator. The kit should include two components: a closed vial with liquid medium and a swab stick. Place the closed vial in the plastic bag to keep it cold.

    • 2

      Wrap the towel around the patient's shoulders. This will prevent his clothes from getting wet.

    • 3

      Instruct the patient to sit upright and look at the ceiling. Ask him to hold the plastic cup.

    • 4

      Squirt a small amount of saline (2 to 3 mL) into one nostril and instruct him to immediately snort it out into the plastic cup. If he inadvertently swallows the saline, reassure him that this is normal. If there is not much content in the cup, squirt more saline into the nostril.

    • 5

      Repeat the procedure with the other nostril until you are holding an empty syringe. Pour the contents of the plastic cup in the vial and place the vial in the bag of ice.

    • 6

      Open the sterile wrapper of the swab stick. Instruct the patient to open his mouth wide and say "ahhh." Use the swab stick to gently rub the back of his throat. If he gags, you may need to stop and try again. Place the swab stick in the same vial as the contents of the plastic cup.

    • 7

      Label the vial with the patient's name and fill out the order slip. Send the specimen to the lab within the bag of ice.

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