text: A<unk>  is a laboratory diagnostic test to find a bacterial or fungal infection in the<unk> . A sample swabbed from the<unk>  is put in a special cup<unk>  that allows infections to grow. If an infection grows, the<unk>  is positive. The type of infection is found using a microscope, chemical tests, or both. If no infection grows, the<unk>  is negative.
  Examples of infections that may be found during a<unk>  include:
  Candida albicans
  This fungus causes thrush, an infection of the mouth and tongue and sometimes of the<unk> . See a picture of thrush in the mouth.
  Group A streptococcus
  This bacteria can cause strep<unk> , scarlet fever, and rheumatic fever. If strep<unk>  is likely, a test called a rapid strep test (or quick strep) may be done before a<unk> . With a rapid strep test, results are ready in 10 minutes instead of 1 to 2 days with a<unk> . If the rapid strep test results are positive, antibiotics can be started immediately. A<unk>  is more accurate than the rapid strep test. The rapid strep test can give false-negative results even when strep bacteria are present. When the results of a rapid strep test are negative, many health professionals recommend doing a<unk>  to make sure that strep<unk>  is not present.
  Neisseria meningitidis
  This bacteria can cause meningitis. If bacteria grows in the<unk> , other tests may be done to check which antibiotic will treat the infection best. This is called susceptibility or sensitivity testing.
option_0: Throat culture
option_1: Rhinitis CT
option_2: Cough CT
option_3: Mycoplasma pneumonia CT
option_4: Bronchoscopy
option_5: Bronchitis CT
option_6: Nasal Congestion CT
option_7: Adenoiditis x ray