Un genital harvest consists in taking some cells to genital secretions, most often with the aim of detecting a urogenital infection (especially a sexually transmitted infection).

We are talking about :

• vaginal or cervicovaginal swab in women
• urethral swab in men (the urethra is the conduit that goes from the bladder to the outside of the body)

A genital swab is generally indicated if infection is suspected, in the presence of symptoms such as:

• leucorrhà © es (white discharge) or abnormal or smelly vaginal discharge
• redness, itching, or burning of the vulva
• abnormal bleeding
• genital ulcers
• burning during urination accompanied by a purulent discharge in men
• testicular or prostate pain.

Depending on the symptoms and indications, genital sampling can be done at several sites.

In women:

• Vaginal swab: collection of vaginal secretions using a swab (special cotton swab)
• Swab from the cervix: after placing a speculum, the swab is introduced into the endocervix (inside the cervix, which looks like a tunnel)
• Urethral swab: collection of discharge from the urinary meatus on a swab
• Collection of the first urine stream: to replace the urethral sample

In humans:

• Urethral sample: taken in the morning before any urine output. The swab is introduced into the urethral meatus (at the end of the penis) and the secretions are collected by rotating it in the urethra
• Collection of the first urine stream: to replace the urethral sample.