Abstract: An apparatus and method permit a general practitioner to obtain specimens from a bodily orifice of an animal, such as, for example, a sinus specimen from a nasal area of a human. The apparatus includes a specimen access tube fixedly or removably connected to a speculum, which may be a standard nasal speculum attachment. Anti-contamination structures, either inside or outside the specimen access tube protect against contamination of the specimen due to contact with other matter in the bodily orifice. In accordance with the method, a practitioner advances the specimen access tube into the bodily orifice, and advances the speculum toward the orifice to visualize the advancement of the specimen access tube. When the tip of the specimen access tube is proximate the specimen to be collected, the practitioner advances an applicator into the end of the specimen access tube such that a head of the applicator contacts and holds the specimen.