A Throat Culture or Strep Test Is Performed by Using A Throat Swab To Detect The Presence of Group A Streptococcus Bacteria
A Throat Culture or Strep Test Is Performed by Using A Throat Swab To Detect The Presence of Group A Streptococcus Bacteria
A Throat Culture or Strep Test Is Performed by Using A Throat Swab To Detect The Presence of Group A Streptococcus Bacteria
bacteria, the most common cause of strep throat. Group A streptococcus bacteria also can cause other infections, including
pneumonia, tonsillitis, and meningitis.
A sample swabbed from the back of the throat is put on a special plate (culture) that enables bacteria to grow. The specific type
of infection is determined using chemical tests. If bacteria don't grow, the culture is negative and the person doesn't have a strep
throat infection.Strep throat is a bacterial infection that affects the back of the throat and the tonsils, which become irritated and
swell, causing a sore throat that's especially bothersome when swallowing. White or yellow spots or a coating on the throat and
tonsils also might be present, and the lymph nodes in the neck may swell.Strep throat is most common among school-age
children. The infection may cause headaches, stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, and listlessness. Strep throat infections don't
usually include cold symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or a runny or stuffy nose.While symptoms of strep throat usually go
away within a few days without direct treatment, doctors will prescribe antibiotics to help prevent related complications such as
rheumatic fever.
The throat culture test can help determine the cause of a sore throat. Often, a sore throat is caused by a virus, but a throat culture
will determine if it's definitely caused by strep bacteria so doctors can provide proper treatment.
Other types of URI may also occur, but they are less common. A decongestant called
phenylpropanolamine