Examining the Culture
Collecting | Labeling | Documenting | Preparing | Incubating | Examining | Testing for treatment | Getting results | see BLOOD SAMPLE
After incubation, a laboratorian will visually examine the culture. Some bacteria have a characteristic appearance that enables the laboratorian to presumptively identify the specific bacteria, but additional biochemical or serological tests are usually needed to make the identification. The laboratorian must distinguish potential pathogenic bacteria from normal throat flora that are not harmful and don't require treatment.
