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Streptococcal screen How the Test is Performed:
The test requires a throat swab. Antibody-antigen technology is used to identify the presence of the Group A Streptococcus from the swab. The test takes about 7 minutes.
How to Prepare:
There is no special preparation. Inform the health care provider if you are using, or have recently used, antibiotic therapy.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How it Feels:
Your throat will be swabbed in the area of the tonsils; this may produce a gagging sensation.
Risks:
There are no risks.
Why this Test is Performed:
The test is performed when strep throat is suspected or when symptoms of pharyngitis are present.
Normal Values:
Group A Streptococcus is not present.
Abnormal Results:
Group A Streptococcus is present (confirms strep throat ).
Cost:
The estimated cost is $17.
Special Considerations:
This test screens for the Group A Streptococcus organism only and will not detect other causes of pharyngitis .
This throat is fiery red (erythematous) and represents the early appearance of streptococcal pharyngitis. Other throat infections can cause a similar appearance and it is difficult to differentiate strep from other causes by simply looking at the throat. A culture should be analyzed to determine the cause of severe throat irritation. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
A cross-section illustration of the mouth, nasal cavity, and throat. The nasal passages are also visible.
Streptococcus bacteria has caused the fiery red color and whitish "exudate" (drainage) associated with strep throat. The child's right tonsil is infected (left side of the picture). (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
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