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What is a strep throat test?
What is a rapid strep test?
How long does a strep throat test take?
Mar 1, 2024 · Key points. Healthcare providers can do a quick test to see if someone has strep throat or scarlet fever. Talk to your healthcare provider if you or your child have a sore throat, rash, or any concerning symptoms. If you test positive, take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Why get tested.
Nov 30, 2022 · Diagnosis. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, look for signs and symptoms of strep throat, and probably order one or more of the following tests: Rapid antigen test. Your doctor may perform a rapid antigen test on a swab sample from your throat. This test can detect strep bacteria in minutes by looking for substances (antigens) in the ...
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Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
•Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
•Painful swallowing
•Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
•Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
•Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
Call your doctor if you or your child has any of these signs and symptoms:
•A sore throat accompanied by tender, swollen lymph glands
•A sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours
•A fever
•A sore throat accompanied by a rash
•Problems breathing or swallowing
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Strep throat is caused by infection with a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.
Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes.
Several factors can increase your risk of strep throat infection:
•Young age. Strep throat occurs most commonly in children.
Spread of infection
Strep bacteria may spread, causing infection in:
Inflammatory reactions
Strep infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses, including:
To prevent strep infection:
•Wash your hands. Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections. That's why it's important to wash your own hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Teach your children how to wash their hands properly using soap and water or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if there is no soap and water available.
•Cover your mouth. Teach your children to cover their mouths with an elbow or tissue when they cough or sneeze.
•Don't share personal items. Don't share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Wash dishes in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff
•Know the signs of strep throat in children
Jul 26, 2017 · A throat swab culture, or throat culture, is a test commonly used to diagnose bacterial infections in the throat. These infections can include strep throat, pneumonia, tonsillitis, whooping...
What You Need to Know. Strep throat is common, especially among children ages 5 to 15. Strep throat symptoms include sore throat, swollen glands and fever. It is diagnosed with a throat swab test. Once it is confirmed, strep throat can be treated with antibiotics to ease symptoms, control spread and prevent complications. What You Need to Know.
Search Encyclopedia. Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus Culture (Throat) Does this test have other names? Strep test, throat culture, Streptococcal screen. What is this test? This test looks for the bacteria that cause strep throat. This condition causes a severe sore throat and makes it painful to swallow.
