Rapid Strep Test
Medical Author: John Mersch, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Overview of streptococcal throat infection
The incidence of sore throats (pharyngitis) varies with season, age of the
patient, and geographic area. Sore throats can be caused by infection from
viruses or bacteria. Fewer than a
third of all pharyngitis is bacterial, most commonly from
Group A streptococcus
infection. Children 5 years to 15 years of
age are the common age group affected with infection during winter/early spring
season the most common season.
The pediatric population may have different presentations such as:
- infants (< 1 year of age) low grade fever (< 101 F, 38 C), fussiness, decreased appetite,
and often exposure to either daycare or older infected siblings;
- children (< 3 years of age) prolonged purulent nasal
discharge, low grade fever, and enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the neck
area; and
- children (> 3 years of age) sudden onset
sore throat,
moderate fever (> 101 F, 38
C),
headache, upset stomach, and enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the neck area.
The majority of sore throats (70% - 85%), then, are
causes by viruses. Representative examples are:
- EBV (Ebstein-Barr virus) and
CMV (cytomegalic inclusion virus) which may produce a mononucleosis symptom
complex,
- adenovirus (which may be associated with conjunctivitis ("pink
eye"),
- influenza, and
- miscellaneous others - herpes, rhinovirus (cause of the common
"cold"), etc.
Unfortunately, no single characteristic element of
either the patient's history or physical exam discriminates between strep and
non-strep pharyngitis. Thus, the importance of laboratory evaluation since
strep
throat should be
treated with antibiotics, while relief of symptoms remains the mainstay of
treatment for viral sore throats.
Next: What is a rapid strep test? »
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