Strep Throat

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of strep throat begins with a physical exam and a review of symptoms. Your healthcare provider checks the throat for redness, swelling and white patches. To confirm the infection, one or more tests may be used. A rapid antigen test can quickly detect strep bacteria using a swab from the throat, providing results in minutes. If this test is negative but symptoms strongly suggest strep throat, a throat culture may be done. A molecular test, also called a PCR test, may also be used to identify strep bacteria from a throat swab. A throat culture involves taking a sample from the back of the throat and tonsils, which is then tested in a lab. Although this test can take up to two days for results, it is highly accurate.

Treatment

Treatment for strep throat focuses on eliminating the bacteria, easing symptoms and preventing complications. Antibiotics are often prescribed when strep throat is confirmed. Taking antibiotics within the first 48 hours can shorten the illness, reduce symptom severity, lower the risk of complications and help prevent spreading the infection. Most people begin to feel better within one or two days of starting treatment. Children who feel well and have no fever may return to school after 24 hours of antibiotic therapy, but it is important to complete the full course of medicine to avoid recurrence or serious complications. To ease symptoms such as sore throat and fever, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used. Aspirin should be avoided in children and teenagers recovering from viral illnesses because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.