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Throat culture is a test to determine bacteria in the tonsils and pharynx. Some bacteria are normally found in the throat. This is called the normal flora of the throat. Throat culture is usually intended to identify the bacteria ‘group A beta- hemolytic streptococcus ' known as ‘Beta '. Such bacteria may sometimes cause heart, joint and kidney diseases. These viruses cannot be detected by throat culture.

While taking a throat culture, a sample is taken from tonsils and pharynx using a sterile cotton tip swab. These samples are examined in the laboratory and the type of bacteria that grows is checked. Often during these tests, an examination called "antibiogram” is also performed to identify against which antibiotic these bacteria are sensitive.