Strepto Direct

The streptococcus A bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes) causes particularly frequent pharyngitis and sore throat in children. These infections are effectively treated with antibiotics. However, viruses are more often the cause of these infections, but in those cases, no treatment is needed and the infection disappears on its own within a few days. Given the risk of developing resistant bacteria, it is important to use antibiotics only in proven bacterial infections. The Strepto Direct test is used to diagnose strep A in minutes based on a throat sample.

A positive result indicates the presence of a group A streptococcus, and an antibiotic may be prescribed immediately. A negative test usually indicates that the sore throat is not caused by strep A. However, in this case, rapid testing must be followed by a confirmation culture in a laboratory. Culture media are checked after 24 hours and 48 hours of incubation. If the culture is positive for strep A in 24 or 48 hours, a strep A infection is confirmed and antibiotic treatment will follow. If the culture is negative after 48 hours, it is very likely that the infection is viral and antibiotic treatment is not necessary.