Strep A Antigen Test

Strep A is a major cause of upper respiratory infections including tonsillitis, pharyngitis and scarlet fever. Symptoms can be similar to other respiratory infections and include fever, swollen glands or an aching body.

Many Strep A infections are mild, but some are more serious. Early detection and subsequent treatment has been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and further complications.

It is important to note the accuracy of the test depends on the quality of the swab specimen. False negatives may result from improper specimen collection, a negative result may also be obtained from patients at the onset of the disease due to low antigen concentration.

The Strep A antigen test does not differentiate asymptomatic carriers of Group A Streptococcus from those with symptomatic infection. As with all diagnostic tests, a definitive clinical diagnosis should not be based on the results of a single test, but should only be made by a physician after all clinical and laboratory findings have been evaluated.