The strep bacterium can cause symptoms ranging from sore throat and ear infections to pneumonia and tissue death. This test can tell you whether you have a strep infection fast.
Overview
What is strep?
Strep infections are caused by streptococcus bacteria. They can be spread through close contact.
Why should I take this test?
Diagnosis is important because, although rare, some strep infections can be life threatening. Also, some strep infections can be hard to distinguish from viral infections without testing and that can determine how you treat them.
What conditions can strep cause?
Strep infections can range from ear infections, sore throats and tonsillitis to scarlet fever, pneumonia and a tissue destroying condition called necrotising fasciitis.
How do I get tested?
Book a simple blood test now.
Did You Know?
Less than one third of sore throats are bacterial (the rest are viral), but the only way to know which is which is to test.
What is a streptococcal infection?
Streptococcal (or strep) infections are caused by streptococcal bacteria, a type of bacteria that are easy to spread, can affect anyone, and which can cause a wide range of conditions, ranging from mild to life threatening.
What conditions can strep cause?
Strep can cause:
- Sore throats
- Ear infections
- Tonsillitis
- Impetigo (a contagious skin infection which produces sores and blisters)
- Cellulitis (hot, painful and swollen patches of skin)
- Sinusitis
- Scarlet fever
- Pneumonia
- Necrotising fasciitis (an infection which destroys the tissue between the skin and muscles)
Why is it important to diagnose strep?
It is important to diagnose strep because, although rare, some of the conditions it causes can be serious.
Far more common, however, is the challenge of distinguishing a bacterial infection (such as strep) from a viral one. Tonsillitis, sore throats, ear infections and sinusitis all have viral and bacterial versions. The viral strains are more common, but the bacterial infections can frequently be more severe and longer lasting.
Crucially, viral infections such as viral tonsillitis or a viral sore throat will usually pass in a few days without treatment. A bacterial infection such as strep throat will not. It requires treatment with antibiotics, whilst antibiotics have no effect against viruses.
Why is rapid strep testing worthwhile?
The overuse of antibiotics has led to some bacteria growing resistant to them, so GPs are less and less likely to prescribe antibiotics for anything that may not be a bacterial infection.
That means, if you have tonsillitis, a sore throat, an ear infection or similar, your GP may ask you to put up with the illness on the basis that, as most are viral, it will probably pass within a week or so.
Bacterial infection, however, will not pass, and swift treatment can reduce the severity of the illness and the chances of spreading it. Taking a rapid test now can determine whether your infection is bacterial. If it is, your doctor is more likely to offer the antibiotics you will need to fight it.
How do I get tested?
To get tested, please contact Better2Know on the number above.