What happens during a whooping cough test?
There are different ways to test for whooping cough. Your health care provider may choose one of the following ways to make a whooping cough diagnosis.
Nasal aspirate. Your health care provider will inject a saline solution into your nose, then remove the sample with gentle suction.
Swab test. Your health care provider will use a special swab to take a sample from your nose or throat.
A blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. Blood tests are used more often in later stages of whooping cough.
In addition, your health care provider may order an x-ray to check for inflammation or fluid in the lungs.
