Rapid strep test

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

WikiDoc Resources for Rapid strep test

Articles

Most recent articles on Rapid strep test

Most cited articles on Rapid strep test

Review articles on Rapid strep test

Articles on Rapid strep test in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Rapid strep test

Images of Rapid strep test

Photos of Rapid strep test

Podcasts & MP3s on Rapid strep test

Videos on Rapid strep test

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Rapid strep test

Bandolier on Rapid strep test

TRIP on Rapid strep test

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Rapid strep test at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Rapid strep test

Clinical Trials on Rapid strep test at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Rapid strep test

NICE Guidance on Rapid strep test

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Rapid strep test

CDC on Rapid strep test

Books

Books on Rapid strep test

News

Rapid strep test in the news

Be alerted to news on Rapid strep test

News trends on Rapid strep test

Commentary

Blogs on Rapid strep test

Definitions

Definitions of Rapid strep test

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Rapid strep test

Discussion groups on Rapid strep test

Patient Handouts on Rapid strep test

Directions to Hospitals Treating Rapid strep test

Risk calculators and risk factors for Rapid strep test

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Rapid strep test

Causes & Risk Factors for Rapid strep test

Diagnostic studies for Rapid strep test

Treatment of Rapid strep test

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Rapid strep test

International

Rapid strep test en Espanol

Rapid strep test en Francais

Business

Rapid strep test in the Marketplace

Patents on Rapid strep test

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Rapid strep test

Template:Editor help

Overview

Strep throat is a common infection caused by Group A Streptococcus. It is generally treated aggressively because of the potential for subsequent heart valve, kidney, lung and joint damage from post-streptococcal auto-immune response. In order to treat strep throat it is helpful to identify the infection, but none of the symptoms are specific to strep, so testing is often used.

One of the most common tests for strep throat is the Rapid Strep Test. This is a test performed in a doctor's office. The throat is swabbed, and results are generally available in 10 or 15 minutes. However, one problem with the test is that, though it has high specificity of approximately 95 to 98% [2], the sensitivity is only 75 to 85%[3]. If the rapid test is negative, a follow-up culture (which takes 24 to 48 hours) might be performed. A negative culture could suggest a viral infection, infection with other typical bacterium such as Haemophilus influenzae, or an infection with an atypical bacterial organism like Mycoplasma. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics. Most of the other organisms are not treated aggressively because they do not generally cause the long term sequelae of Group A Strep and are considered to be self-limited, though some of them can still respond to antibiotics.

The Rapid Strep Test works by detecting the presence of a carbohydrate antigen unique to Group A Streptococcus. This may account for some of the problems with the Rapid Strep Test sensitivity. Gargling, eating or other infusion of liquids into the mouth prior to the test may affect the results. If the test is performed before sufficient organisms are present in the throat, or late in the infection when most of the strep germs have been cleared by the immune system, or if it is performed after someone has been partially treated with antibiotics that kill the organism, then the Rapid Strep Test is less likely to detect the organism.

If the Rapid Strep Test detects strep, the infection should be treated with appropriate antibiotics to prevent long-term damage and sequelae. Should the Rapid Strep Test fail to detect strep throat, the doctor might still treat the throat infection based on his or her own judgment.

Template:WikiDoc help menu Template:WikiDoc sources