Strep A Test is a specific immunological test for the detection of Group A streptococcus bacteria in throat infections. It helps to quickly know if a sore throat is caused by a Strep A or other germs (usually viruses) which do not require antibiotic treatment.
The Strep A Test should be performed in case of throat symptoms such as red/swollen throat or tonsils, body aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting or listlessness. A positive result means that the Group A strep was present in the throat sample and you should consult a physician, who will decide about the next step.
If you or your child has symptoms of strep throat. These include:
A sudden and severe sore throat
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Fever of 101° or more
Swollen lymph nodes
HOW DOES STREP A TEST WORK?
Group A ß-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria may be involved in case of sore throat infections. In order to treat it using antibiotic therapy, it is first necessary to identify it. Thanks to the specific extraction process of throat swab samples, a Group A streptococcus marker (LPS antigen) can be isolated and further identified using specific anti-LPS antigen antibodies. Quickly and reliable results in just 4 minutes. Evaluation reports show an overall agreement of 96,4% with reference method.