Mycoplasma pneumoniae, DNA [real-time PCR]

Drink plenty of fluids (still water) 8-12 hours before collecting sputum. Before oropharyngeal (throat) swabs, for 3-4 hours do not eat, drink, brush teeth, rinse the mouth/throat, chew gum or smoke. Before nasal swabs, for 3-4 hours do not use drops/sprays or rinse the nose. Swabs are best taken in the morning, right after sleep. Do not eat for 1-2 hours before the test. Do not smoke for 30 minutes before the test. Collect the sample in the morning. Collect freely coughed-up sputum from a deep cough. Saliva and nasopharyngeal discharge must not enter the container, as this may distort results.