Rapid Strep Testing at Langford Pharmacy: Quick and Reliable Results
Rapid strep testing can be crucial for anyone with a sore throat and other signs that point towards strep throat. There’s a heightened suspicion of strep in individuals, particularly children, who present with sore throats or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with strep throat. It’s advisable to seek a healthcare provider and opt for rapid strep testing if you notice symptoms such as:
Sore throat that starts quickly and lasts more than a week or recurrent sore throats
Fever of 101° F or higher
Reddened (inflamed) throat and/or tonsils with white or yellow patches or streaks
Tiny red spots at the back of the roof of the mouth
Difficulty or severe pain when swallowing
Headache, body aches
Nausea or vomiting
Tender and/or swollen throat or lymph nodes
Rash
Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks
Blood in saliva or mucus
Excessive drooling in young children
Symptoms of dehydration, such as excessive thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination
Rapid Strep Testing may not be done when you also have symptoms more closely associated with a viral infection, such as:
Cough
Runny nose
Mouth sores
What does the test result mean?
A positive rapid strep test means you have strep throat.
A negative rapid test indicates that you probably do not have strep throat. However, a throat culture may be performed to confirm the results if your healthcare provider still suspects strep, especially among children and teens.
A positive throat culture for group A strep means you have strep throat.
A negative throat culture means it is most likely that the sore throat is due to a viral infection that will resolve on its own.
Contact Us
