Rapid Strep Test

Patients benefit both immediately and potentially in the long-term by rapid confirmation of a streptococcal cause of their sore throat. The antibiotic treatment provides a quicker reduction of symptoms, shortens the duration of illness and quickly, and efficiently eliminates the possibility of spread of infection to others.

• Although rare, serious consequences of streptococcal infections do occur. Rheumatic fever is associated with heart, joint and nervous system damage and is preventable by rapid treatment of strep disease.
• Serious kidney disease that may result in kidney failure may also be a consequence of streptococcal infection.
• A throat infection due to strep needs antibiotic therapy initiated as rapidly as possible. The rapid strep test facilitates this goal.

The test is easy and quick. It has no major side effects or risks

A rapid screen strep test is simple and can be done in your doctor’s office. You should avoid using mouthwash before the test because it can interfere with results. Otherwise, you do not need to prepare.

Your doctor will examine your mouth to check for red, swollen areas or other signs of infection. Your doctor will ask you to open your mouth wide and may use a wooden tongue depressor to hold your tongue down.

Then, your doctor will take a cotton swab and brush it against the back of your throat, or oropharynx, to obtain a sample for the test. They may do this twice to get more accurate results. The swabs will be tested with a kit to see if the group A Streptococcus bacterium is present.

The test is not painful, but it does cause minor discomfort. If your child is having a rapid strep screen, it is a good idea to hold their arms or have them seated on your lap. You may need to help restrain your child. Also, the position of the swab may trigger a gag reflex.

If you test positive for strep, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotic therapy and recommend that you drink warm fluids and gargle with saltwater. If you test negative for group A Streptococcus, but still have a sore throat, your doctor may look at other possible causes, including infections from other bacteria or viruses.

If a strep infection is left untreated, it can lead to more serious medical conditions, including:

• streptococcal pneumonia
• ear infections
• meningitis
• infectious kidney inflammation
• rheumatic fever