The ability to accurately diagnose any illness requires that medical professionals have access to the right tools to collect biological samples and that these samples be stored properly while transported to a lab for evaluation.

Viral samples can be particularly difficult to maintain since they degrade quickly if they aren't handled properly. The easiest way to maintain the integrity of any viral samples collected in your facility is to use a viral transport media kit.

Learn more about the three major components of a viral transport media kit so that you will be able to identify a quality product in the future.

1. Collection Swabs

One important component found in a viral transport media kit is a collection swab. Quality kits will contain their own swabs to prevent any confusion when it comes to the type of swab that is compatible with the viral transport media.

Some swab materials are not suitable for testing and can interfere with the accurate analysis of the sample collected. Swabs will be made from either organic or synthetic materials, depending on the type of virus sample that the kit is designed to preserve.

Be sure to look for viral transport media kits that come with accompanying swabs.

2. Viral Transport Tubes

The viral transport tube is the component that houses the transport media itself. These tubes are typically made from medical-grade plastic.

Many of the high-end viral transport media kits will feature transport tubes that are formulated to contain buffering proteins. The primary role of buffering proteins is to curb the growth of any bacteria or fungi that could contaminate the viral sample housed inside the transport tube.

If you want to ensure the integrity and accuracy of your viral samples, utilize viral transport media kits with tubes that contain buffering proteins.

3. Viral Transport Cap

Once a swab has been used to collect a viral sample from a patient, the swab is submerged in the transport media contained within the viral transport tube. Both the swab and the transport media must be secured within the tube, and the tube must be sealed against any outside contaminants.

Transport tubes are fitted with transport caps to help accomplish these goals.

There are two primary types of transport cap designs- screw-on caps and plug caps. Screw-on caps tend to provide a more secure closure and are easier to open and close than plug caps. This makes them a preferred cap option for many lab technicians. 

For more information, contact a local company that sells covid 19 transport media.