Why is this procedure done?
Susceptibility testing helps your doctor decide which drugs will work best in getting rid of your infection. Your doctor may order this test: ‚
- To help choose the best drug to treat your infection.
- When a culture has more than one kind of germ in it.
- To learn more about why your infection is not going away.
- Along with a culture.
What will the results be?
- The doctor will look at the results of your test and compare them to what is expected.
- Most often, the results are reported as a drug is:
- Susceptible ¢ ˆ ’ This means the drug is likely to stop the germ from growing. It may be a good choice to treat your infection.
- Intermediate ¢ ˆ ’ This means the drug may stop the germ from growing if it is given at higher doses. The drug may only work at certain body sites. It may or may not be a good choice to treat your infection.
- Resistant ¢ ˆ ’ This means the drug does not do a good job of keeping the germ from growing. It may not be the best choice for treating your infection.
- 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 extremely 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
- If you have any bleeding problems
What happens during the procedure?
- You may have had a culture test to help your doctor find out what kind of germ is making you sick. Some culture samples are done with urine, blood, or other body fluids. Other culture samples are done with a swab from your throat or nose.
- The sample is often placed in a bottle or tube partly filled with other fluids. These are sent to the lab and kept in a special setting. Over a day or two, if there are any germs in the sample, the germs will grow and increase. Then, the lab tech will collect some of them and look at them with a microscope.
- The germs are tested against certain drugs to see which ones will stop the germs from growing.
What happens after the procedure?
- The doctor looks at the test results and decides the best drug to use to treat your infection.
- Ask your doctor when you will get the results. They will take at least 1 to 3 days.
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 an infection in your blood. Together you can make a plan for more care. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection may not go away
- Drug may not fully treat the infection
Where can I learn more?
American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/susceptibility/tab/test/ ‚
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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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚