In This Article
In This Article
Viral infections are the most common cause of sore throats. An inflamed or swollen throat (pharynx) caused by viruses often only last a day or two.
However, if your sore throat is prolonged, associated with white spots on the tonsils, is severely painful, and/or comes with a high fever, you may have streptococcal pharyngitis or strep throat. The Streptococcus bacteria trigger this infection.
“Strep throat commonly affects children and teenagers. The diagnosis of this infection is crucial because prompt antibiotic usage prevents this bacteria from producing heart complications,” says our in-house expert Dr. Rizza Mira.
A strep throat test can determine if a strep infection causes your sore throat. Medical experts also use it for strep throat diagnosis.
People with symptoms should take the test immediately for quick diagnosis and treatment. Streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious, and anyone can get them.
“There are two methods where a strep infection can be passed on: by inhalation of droplets containing the bacteria and by direct contact with an item infected with the bacteria,” says Dr. Mira.
Infected people can easily spread the bacteria through droplets or mucus when they sneeze or cough. Aside from getting infected, people who come in contact with the bacteria can also easily pass them on.1
You may also develop complications from untreated strep throat, such as rheumatic fever. If left untreated, acute rheumatic fever may even become more severe and cause rheumatic heart disease.2
Strep bacteria can also potentially injure your kidneys. Acute glomerulonephritis occurs when the tiny filters in the kidney are damaged (glomeruli). This is often a result of untreated strep throat. 3,4
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A strep test detects the Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A strep (GAS). It’s the leading bacterial cause of acute tonsillopharyngitis or inflammation of the tonsils and pharynx (throat).
A medical expert may need to collect samples from behind your throat or tonsils to test for the bacteria. They'll analyze the specimens through a rapid strep test or a throat culture.
Your doctor or a health care provider orders a strep test when you have a sore throat and other tell-tale signs of a strep throat infection.
Doctors are also likely to require strep testing in children with sore throats or someone who had close contact with an infected person.
Get yourself tested if you have these symptoms:
Another possible outcome is scarlet fever if your sore throat has a rash or skin redness. Group A strep infection also causes this condition, so strep testing also helps diagnose it.5
However, your doctor may not require testing when you have signs closer to a viral infection instead of a strep infection, such as a runny nose, mouth sores, and cough.6
You don’t need to do any special preparation prior to testing. However, medical experts must have a diagnosis of strep throat before they prescribe antibiotics.
Strep tests can determine if the swelling in your throat and tonsils is due to group A strep (GAS) bacteria.
Doctors use rapid antigen detection tests (RADT), such as rapid strep tests, to detect GAS antigens. Rapid strep testing requires a swab sample from the back of your throat and tonsils.
The healthcare practitioner will hold down your tongue using a wooden depressor before inserting a cotton swab into your mouth. Then, they'll rub the swab on your throat and tonsils.
Medical technicians usually collect two swab samples. They can use the second specimen for a confirmatory or follow-up test.
This lab test can detect genes, proteins, or other GAS bacteria molecules from your blood specimen within eight minutes. You can get the test results in 10 to 20 minutes.
A positive result can diagnose strep throat. Your doctor doesn't need further testing to start you on oral antibiotic treatments.
If your rapid strep test turns out negative, but your doctor believes you have strep infections, they can request a throat culture instead.
A throat culture is more sensitive than a rapid strep test. It's also more in-depth—sometimes, it finds what rapid tests miss. This is why the results take a little longer and come out in 24 to 48 hours.
Doctors typically advise a throat culture as a confirmatory test for children or teens with strep throat. They do this to prevent the strep bacteria from causing more serious complications.
A positive rapid strep test result indicates the presence of group A strep. On the other hand, a negative result means the test didn’t find the presence of the bacteria.
However, doctors usually order a confirmatory throat culture if they still suspect strep throat despite any negative outcomes.
A positive throat culture means you have a strep throat infection. A negative result suggests that a viral infection is likely causing your sore throat instead of a bacterial infection.
“In the absence of signs and symptoms, a person who tests positive for these strep tests is called a carrier,” says Dr. Mira.
Yes, you can take a strep test in the comfort of your home.
At-home strep tests are similar to the rapid strep tests that doctors use. The test kits include a sterile cotton swab that you’ll use to collect your throat swab specimens.
The test kit usually contains two substances used for analysis (reagents). To test your swab sample, you need to mix the reagents first before adding your cotton swab.
Leave the mixture for a few minutes. Then, take the small stick included in the test kit and soak it in the mixture.
The stick will indicate your results with a single or a set of lines. If you need help with interpreting the outcome, you may contact your healthcare provider.
However, at-home strep testing shouldn’t replace a doctor’s visit. You must see your doctor for the appropriate use of antibiotic therapy in treating the infection and your symptoms.
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