Interpreting Nasal Swab Results: Rare WBCs, Moderate Gram-Positive Cocci Culture, and Heavy Growth of Mixed Flora

The results of your nasal swab indicate several key points regarding your upper respiratory condition:

Rare WBCs

The presence of rare White Blood Cells (WBCs) can suggest a mild inflammatory response. In the context of a nasal swab, it might indicate that there is some degree of infection or irritation. However, since they are rare, it may not point to a significant ongoing infection.

Moderate Gram-Positive Cocci Culture and Gram Stain

Gram-positive cocci are bacteria that appear round and stain positively on a Gram stain. This could include several types of bacteria, including Streptococcus or Staphylococcus species.

The term “Aerobic” indicates that the bacteria detected require oxygen to grow. This is typical for many bacteria found in the upper respiratory tract.

Heavy Growth of Mixed Upper Respiratory Flora

This finding suggests that there is a variety of bacteria typically found in the upper respiratory tract present in large quantities. The term “mixed flora” refers to a diverse population of bacteria.

Interpretation in Context

Given your previous history of Staphylococcus aureus and the two weeks of antibiotic treatment, the current findings suggest that while the Staphylococcus might not be the dominant organism in this sample, there is still a presence of gram-positive cocci. This could be part of the normal flora or could represent a new infection.

The heavy growth of mixed flora might indicate that the antibiotics you were on did not eliminate all bacterial populations or that there is a new colonization occurring.

Recommendations

Consult Your Healthcare Provider: It is important to discuss these results with your healthcare provider who can interpret them in the context of your symptoms and medical history.

Follow-Up Testing: Depending on your symptoms and the provider's assessment, further testing or a different course of treatment may be necessary.

: Keep track of any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as nasal congestion, pain, or discharge, and report them to your doctor. They can provide additional insights into the significance of these findings.

Overall, these results suggest that there may still be an underlying issue in your upper respiratory tract that may require further attention.