Strep A Test, Rapid Test

For diagnostic purposes, clinical specimens should be collected before the initiation of therapy since even a few days of treatment may render the culture negative. Day(s) Test Set Up: Monday through Sunday

RAPID A

Throat swab

Obtain specimen using a culture swab. 1. Remove cap and swab from tube. 2.Tilt patient's head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible. 3. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn't touch tongue and also avoid lateral walls of buccal cavity. 4. Have patient say "ah" while sweeping back and forth across posterior pharynx. 5. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well. 6. In 1 continuous motion:  Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.  Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there. Move to other tonsillar area and swab. Swab behind uvula and remove swab. 7.  Return swab to a sterile culture transport tube. 8. Label tube with patient's full name, date of birth, date, time of collection and specimen type.  Note: Sipecimen source is required on request form for processing.

Red capped culture transport device

Refrigerate

Specimen other than a throat swab

Negative  (All netgative reults will be confirmed by a 24-hour culture)

Useful for the rapid detection of group A steptococcus antigen in throat specimens.