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Strep tests are commonly used to diagnose group A or group B strep. Group A strep is a bacteria that causes strep throat, which is an infection mainly characterized by a sore throat. Group B strep is a bacteria that resides in the genital area and digestive and urinary tracts but rarely causes symptoms.
Your doctor may order a strep A test if you are experiencing symptoms of strep throat, including sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Strep A can be diagnosed with either a rapid strep test or standard strep test, and both are performed the same way.
During a strep A test, you will be asked to tilt your head back and open your mouth wide. The healthcare provider will use a tongue depressor to gently hold down your tongue while they use a long swab to grab a tissue sample from the back of your throat. The strep A test takes only a few minutes and may cause slight discomfort. Results are available within minutes for the rapid strep test and one to two days for the standard test.
The strep B test is usually only performed on women between 36 and 37 weeks pregnant. Group B strep resides in the vagina and rectum and can be passed to a baby as it passes through the birth canal. The strep B test can be performed as a swab or urine test.
During a strep B swab test, you or your doctor will use a cotton swab to collect tissue and fluid samples from your vagina and rectum. For a strep B urine test, your doctor will ask you to urinate into a sterile cup. Then, your sample will be sent to a lab for further analysis, and results will be available within one to two days.
If your strep test results return positive, your doctor will work with you to choose the best treatment. Strep A and strep B are typically treated with antibiotics. A woman with strep B will usually receive antibiotics through an IV line during delivery to prevent transmitting it to her baby.
A strep test usually only takes a few minutes. The strep A test is conducted using a throat swab, while the strep B test can be conducted using a cotton swab or by providing a urine sample. Your healthcare provider can give you more details about how long your strep test will take based on the method used.
Group B strep rarely causes symptoms or illness in adults but can be dangerous for newborn babies. Women testing positive for group B strep during pregnancy are usually given antibiotics during labor to prevent transmitting this bacteria to the baby as it passes through the birth canal. Women with group B strep who are having a planned Cesarean section are not required to take antibiotics since the baby will not be exposed to this bacteria in the birth canal.
The cost of a strep test varies based on several factors, including provider rates, the type of test (throat swab, vaginal swab, or urinalysis), geographical location, and whether your health plan covers this service. The best way to find out how much a strep test will cost is to contact your health insurance provider or the step test provider to receive a quote.
Most health insurance providers will cover the cost of strep testing, especially if your doctor considers the test medically necessary based on your symptoms and health condition. Contact your insurance provider directly to learn more about your coverage and benefits, or contact the strep testing provider and ask if they can perform a complimentary insurance benefits check on your behalf.
A strep throat can be diagnosed with the strep A test. First, your healthcare provider will ask you to tilt your head back and open your mouth wide. Then they will use a long cotton swab to gently collect a tissue sample from the back of your throat. This testing method is used for both the rapid strep A test and the standard strep A test.
The rapid test for strep A provides results within 10 to 20 minutes, while the standard test for strep A provides results within 24 to 48 hours. Test results for the strep B test usually come back within 24 to 48 hours as well. Your doctor or the strep test provider can give you a better idea regarding when you should expect to get your results.
A rapid strep test is only available to diagnose group A strep. This test looks for antigens, which are substances that trigger an immune response. A rapid strep test provides results within several minutes as opposed to a few days and is performed the same way as a standard strep A test using a throat swab.
A rapid strep test can produce reliable results. However, some doctors may perform a standard test for strep A if results from the rapid test come back negative and patients are experiencing multiple symptoms of strep throat. A standard throat culture test for strep A often provides a more accurate diagnosis than a rapid test but takes longer to deliver the results.
Strep tests can be performed by many healthcare providers, including your general physician and urgent care clinics. In addition, a specialist such as a midwife or OB-GYN may perform the strep B test if you are pregnant or refer you to a lab that offers this service. You can also use Solv to find a lab that provides high-quality strep tests in your area to book a same-day appointment.
Go to our homepage and enter “strep test” or “strep throat” into the Search field, then select your location from the dropdown menu. Solv will display a list of top-rated providers in your area that offer the strep test. Find the provider you want to visit, then click “Call now” to book an appointment for a strep test, or go to the provider’s listing for additional contact information.
Updated on Dec 25, 2024
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