FAQs

CHOOSING THE CORRECT SWABS FOR COVID-19 TESTING

Puritan is the swab for proper coronavirus testing.  The CDC recommends Puritan’s three specific products variations: flocked, round foam, or spun polyester swab.

For the best results, nasopharyngeal (NP) specimen is the preferred choice. Other collection methods could include the following: 

-        NP Swabs: 

  • Flock: 25-3317-H, 25-3320-H/U EMB 80MM/EMB 100MM
  • Foam: 25-1406 1PF 50
  • Polyester: 25-800 1PD 50

-        Nasal Swabs

  • Foam: 25-1506 1PF 100, 25-1506 1PF SOLID
  • Polyester: 25-806 1PD, 25-806 1PD BT 
  • Flock: 25-3206-U or H, 25-3306-U or H, 25-3406-U or H, 25-3506-U or H, 25-3706-U or H

-        Oropharyngeal (OP) Swabs

  • Flock: 25-3206-U or H, 25-3706-U or H
  • Foam: 25-1506 1PF 100, 25-1506 1PF SOLID
  • Polyester: 25-806 1PD, 25-806 1PD BT
  • Additional Flock: 25-3316-U or H, 25-3317-U, 25-3318-U or H, 25-3319-H, 25-3306-U or H, 25-3406-U or H, 25-3506-U or H 

Some tests are designed to analyze a swab specimen directly, without the use of any media. Other platforms require the swabs to be placed immediately into a sterile transport tube containing 2-3mL of either UniTranz-RT® Universal Transport Systems, Opti-Swab® - Liquid Amies Transport Systems, or sterile saline solution. 

Transporting Sensitive Specimen:

Puritan’s UniTranz-RT®  is intended for the collection and preservation of viruses. Our kits are designed to ensure the safest transport of clinical specimens when immediate testing is not available. 

UniTranz-RT® meets the CDC’s interim guidelines for collecting, handling and testing sensitive specimens. The flock swabs are the ideal swab for nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimen collection. 

Stay ahead of illness with the proper testing swabs made by a trusted name!