How to use a Charcoal Swab Instructions for your do-it-yourself vaginal swabs.
It is a good idea to read these instructions through before taking your swab.
Use the notes in the 9 steps below to help you to successfully take a vaginal swab. This guide is for a Charcoal Swab (the sample tube is long and the swab has a black handle). These swabs are used to test for thrush and/or bacterial vaginosis (BV).
- Prepare yourself to take the swab(s). Ideally you need a clean, flat surface on which to place the parts of the pack.
- Open Pack Carefully open the swab packet just enough to show the top of the plastic sample tube and the black plastic swab handle.
- Remove Sample Tube Remove the plastic sample tube. Leave the swab in the packaging for now.
- Remove Lid Hold the tube firmly and twist off the white lid. Discard lid.
- Ready to take Swab Place the tube within easy reach; close to the swab
- Take Swab Remove the swab from packaging. Hold it by the black handle, taking care not to touch the cotton bud end. Insert the cotton bud end of swab about 6 cm into your vagina and rotate it for 10 seconds.
- Place in Sample Tube Remove and slide the swab all the way into the plastic tube.
- Close and Label the Tube Press until the lid is firmly on. After washing your hands, complete the label with your details*.
- Place in the Bag and Seal Write the date and time you took the sample on the request form and place the sample tube and request form into the bag and then seal the bag.
*If the tube is not labelled, the lab will not process the sample
Once you have submitted the swab please check your NHS app 2-3 days later for the results.