High vaginal swab (routine)

Culture for common pathogens and microscopy for bacterial vaginosis

Other Comments:

Collection container (including preservatives): Pink topped Copan e swab

Special instructions -  Provide relevant clinical data and details of recent or current antimicrobial treatment

Cervical and high vaginal swabs should be taken with the aid of a speculum. It is important to avoid vulval contamination of the swab. If pelvic infection, including gonorrhoea, is suspected, the cervix should be swabbed. Separate samples should be collected into appropriate transport media for PCR detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, Trichomonas vaginalis and herpes simplex if clinically indicated.

Specimen transport: Transport as soon as possible, if transport is delayed refrigeration is preferable to storage at ambient temperature.