THROAT/NASAL SWAB
PLASTIC CASE
SAMPLE TUBE WITH LIQUID
RETURN BAG
PREPAID LABEL
Login to your account on www.poooos.org.uk and activate your sample by clicking on
SAMPLE ACTIVATION AND RESULT, then select your test day, enter Royal Mail Tracking Number and click on save.
ACTIVATE FIRST
DO NOT SEND THE SAMPLE TO THE LAB WITHOUT ACTIVATING IT FIRST. SAMPLES NOT ACTIVATED ARE REJECTED AND BINNED
IF YOU ARE COLLECTING A SAMPLE FROM A CHILD PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO TEST A CHILD
Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds, using soap and warm water. This is so thatyou do not contaminate the test kit.
Now dry your hands.
Clean and dry a flat surface, where you will take the test. Unpack the sealed test equipment for one test and place onto the clean flat surface.
With your mouth open wide, swab the back of your throat as illustrated:
1. Tonsil
2. Posterior Wall
3. Uvula
4. Posterior Wall
5. Tonsil
Using the same swab, insert the swab into one nostril up to 3cm or until you feel resistance rotate it 5 times and leave in position for 10 seconds.
Important: If you have a known condition such as base of skull fracture, previous sinus surgery, or meningoceles, you are
advised to do a throat swab ONLY – go to step 4.
This list of conditions is not exhaustive.
Professional medical advice should be sought from your GP or clinician on individual circumstances.
SELF ADMINISTRATION OF THIS TEST IS DONE AT PATIENTS OWN RISK.
Without putting down the swab, unscrew the cap from the sample tube, carefully insert the sample end of the swab into the tube and
break the swab inside the sample tube.
Place the sample tube into the plastic case, checking once again before doing so that the screw cap is firmly closed, and seal tightly.
PLEASE ONLY RETURN YOUR SAMPLE IN THIS BAG. DO NOT SEND MULTIPLE SAMPLES IN THE SAME BAG.
IF YOU ARE COLLECTING A SAMPLE FROM A CHILD PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO TEST A CHILD
Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds, using soap and warm water. This is so thatyou do not contaminate the test kit.
Now dry your hands.
Clean and dry a flat surface, where you will take the test. Unpack the sealed test equipment for one test and place onto the clean flat surface.
With your mouth open wide, swab the back of your throat as illustrated:
1. Tonsil
2. Posterior Wall
3. Uvula
4. Posterior Wall
5. Tonsil
Using the same swab, insert the swab into one nostril up to 3cm or until you feel resistance rotate it 5 times and leave in position for 10 seconds.
Important: If you have a known condition such as base of skull fracture, previous sinus surgery, or meningoceles, you are
advised to do a throat swab ONLY – go to step 4.
This list of conditions is not exhaustive.
Professional medical advice should be sought from your GP or clinician on individual circumstances.
SELF ADMINISTRATION OF THIS TEST IS DONE AT PATIENTS OWN RISK.
Without putting down the swab, unscrew the cap from the sample tube, carefully insert the sample end of the swab into the tube and
break the swab inside the sample tube.
Place the sample tube into the plastic case,
checking once again before doing so that the screw cap is firmly closed, and seal tightly.
PLEASE ONLY RETURN YOUR SAMPLE IN THIS BAG. DO NOT SEND MULTIPLE SAMPLES IN THE SAME BAG.
Post the bag in a Royal Mail Priority Post Box.
To find the nearest Priority Post Box please download the Royal Mail app or go to royalmail.com/services-near-you/
PLEASE READ IF A SAMPLE IS BEING TAKEN FROM A CHILD
In accordance with government guidance, testing on children aged 11 and under must be administrated by an adult.
Persons aged 12-17 should self-test with adult supervision.
You may find the following government video useful on how to test a child:
How to test your child for coronavirus (Covid-19) in the UK
Please note that this video may contain a test kit that is different to your test kit, so please follow the instructions provided with your test kit.
Once you have taken your child’s sample, go to step 4 and follow the instructions on how to place the swab in the sample tube and return your sample to the laboratory.
