A rapid strep test identifies Group A Streptococcus bacteria, the cause of strep throat. This infection can lead to a sore throat, fever, and other symptoms. Prompt diagnosis allows for quick treatment and helps prevent complications like rheumatic fever.
Receiving Rapid Strep Test Results
Rapid strep test results are typically available quickly. After a healthcare provider takes a throat swab, the sample is processed using a test kit. Results are often ready within 5 to 10 minutes, though some tests may take up to 15 to 20 minutes. This quick turnaround allows for prompt treatment decisions.
The process involves the healthcare provider swabbing the back of the throat and tonsils. The swab is then inserted into a solution or onto a test strip containing reagents that react to Group A Streptococcus bacteria. A visible change, such as a line on the test strip, indicates a positive result. This in-office analysis helps determine if the bacterial infection is present, avoiding a longer wait for laboratory confirmation.
Factors Affecting Wait Times
Several factors can influence the waiting period for rapid strep test results. Clinic busyness can lead to longer overall wait times, as staff may be attending to multiple patients. Lab protocols or the type of rapid test kit used can also affect processing time. Some rapid tests might have a longer incubation period, extending the wait by a few minutes.
If a rapid strep test is negative but symptoms strongly suggest strep throat, especially in children and teenagers, a confirmatory throat culture might be ordered. This involves sending a second swab to a laboratory, where bacteria grow over 24 to 48 hours to confirm diagnosis, significantly extending the wait. Test timing relative to symptom onset and swab quality can also affect accuracy.
Next Steps After Testing
After rapid strep test results are available, next steps depend on the outcome. If positive, indicating a Group A Streptococcus infection, a healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Completing the entire 10-day course is important, even if symptoms improve, to eradicate the bacteria and prevent complications. Most individuals are no longer contagious after 12 to 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
If the rapid test is negative, but strep throat is still suspected, especially in children and teenagers, a throat culture may be performed for confirmation. If this culture is also negative, the sore throat is likely caused by a viral infection, which does not require antibiotics and usually resolves on its own. The provider may then explore other potential causes for symptoms.