A cervical swab is a medical procedure in which a sample is taken from the cervix (the neck of the uterus) to check for the presence of microorganisms, infections, or abnormalities. The procedure is performed during a gynecological exam, and the doctor or medical technician uses a special swab or brush to collect the sample from the cervix. The sample collection is usually painless but may cause brief discomfort. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes.
Cervical swabs are most commonly performed to diagnose various infections (such as bacterial, fungal, or sexually transmitted diseases) and abnormalities on the cervix that may indicate an increased risk of cervical cancer. Additionally, a cervical swab is used as part of routine gynecological exams, such as the Papanicolaou test (Pap test), which helps in the early detection of cancerous changes or infections.
The procedure for taking the swab lasts only a few minutes. The results of the analysis may be available in a few days, depending on the type of testing.