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Fungal Culture


Why is this procedure done?


A fungal culture is a test done to find a kind of germ called a fungus or yeast. These germs may cause very serious infections and need special drugs to treat them. You may have a fungal infection in your skin or nails. You may also have a more serious fungal infection in your tissues, lungs, spinal fluid, or blood. Your doctor may order this test to: � �
  • Find what type of germ is causing your infection
  • Find the cause of an unexplained fever, illness, or shock
  • Learn about changes to your skin or nails
  • Help your doctor choose the best drugs to kill the germs


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What will the results be?


  • The doctor will look at the results of your test and compare them to what is normal. The doctor will know if you have an infection that needs treatment.
  • If the results are normal or negative, it means you likely do not have a fungal infection. Sometimes the doctors will say the culture has "no growth. " �
  • If the results are not normal or positive, you may have an infection caused by a fungus.
  • Your doctor may order another test. This will help check a result that is not normal or to learn more about a diagnosis.
  • The doctor will talk with you about treatment.
  • If you are very ill, the doctor may start treatment before the test results are back.

What happens before the procedure?


  • There are no special things to do before the test.
  • Talk to your doctor about:
    • All the drugs you are taking, including over-the-counter antifungal creams
    • If you have any bleeding problems

What happens during the procedure?


  • It will only take a few minutes to have this test. You will be awake the whole time.
  • Blood test
    • The lab tech will carefully clean the skin. You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin.
  • Skin or wound test
    • Your doctor may gently scrape the area of skin or rub it with a swab to take a fungal culture.
  • Spinal fluid test
    • Your doctor numbs the lower back and places a small needle in your back to drain a small amount of spinal fluid. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin.
  • The culture will go into a bottle or tube partly filled with other fluids. This bottle or tube goes to the lab. The lab keeps the bottle or tube in a special setting. Over a day or two, if there are any germs they will grow and increase. Then, the lab tech will collect some of them and look at them with a microscope. Often, the lab tech adds drugs to see which ones fight the germs best.
  • Your doctor may want to have two samples of a culture taken. This may mean blood from each arm or a sample from more than one area of skin.

What happens after the procedure?


  • You may want to sit quietly for a few minutes before standing up. This will help keep you from feeling dizzy after the test.
  • You will need to lay flat for a while after a spinal fluid test and drink fluids to lessen headache.
  • Ask your doctor when you will get the results. They will take at least 1 to 3 days.

What care is needed at home?


  • You may do your everyday activities when you get back home.
  • Ask your doctor about what activities are okay for when you go back home after spinal fluid test.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. This test will help your doctor understand if you have a fungal infection. Together you can make a plan for more care.
  • Call your doctor if your skin or wound looks worse after the culture. Signs of worsening infection include a fever of 100.4 � �F (38 � �C) or higher; chills, swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound.

What problems could happen?


  • Pain
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Infection

Where can I learn more?


American Association for Clinical Chemistry � �
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/fungal/tab/test/KidsHealth � �

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. � �

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