Strep tests are used to determine whether a person with a sore throat (pharyngitis) has strep throat, an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus (GAS).Most sore throats are caused by a virus and will resolve without treatment within a few days, but some people with sore throats have strep throat. It is important to diagnose and treat strep infections promptly with antibiotics because they are very contagious and secondary complications can develop, especially in children.A rapid strep test, also known as a rapid antigen detection test (RADT), can detect group A strep antigens. Results are available in 1-2 minutes. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved molecular tests that can detect genetic material from group A strep bacteria in throat swab specimens in less than 8 minutes.If the results of the rapid test are positive, further testing is not needed and treatment can be started right away. If the rapid strep test is negative, a throat culture should be performed on children or adolescents to confirm the results and avoid missing infections that could lead to serious complications, such as rheumatic fever. A throat culture is more sensitive than the rapid strep test, but it may take 24-48 hours for results. According to 212 guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), confirmatory testing on adults is not usually recommended since adults have lower rates of strep throat and far lower risk of complications than children.
Sample Type - Throat Swab
Reporting Time - 48 - 72 Hrs
Prerequisites - No special preparation required
Price - ₹430/-
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