Description
Rapid Strep A Swab Test – Wondfo
Strep A, short for Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is a type of bacteria commonly found in the throat and on the skin. It’s known for causing a range of infections, from mild to severe. Some of the infections caused by Strep A include:
1. Mild Infections
- Strep Throat: A common infection that causes sore throat, pain when swallowing, and sometimes fever. It’s most frequent in children but can affect anyone.
- Scarlet Fever: Strep throat can sometimes lead to scarlet fever, which includes a red, sandpaper-like rash on the body.
- Impetigo: A skin infection that causes red sores, usually around the nose and mouth, which eventually burst and form a yellowish crust.
2. Severe Invasive Infections
- Necrotizing Fasciitis: Often called the “flesh-eating disease,” this rare but serious infection spreads quickly and destroys body tissue. It requires emergency medical care.
- Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS): A rare and severe condition causing shock and organ failure, it’s caused by toxins released by the bacteria.
- Cellulitis and Bacteremia: Cellulitis is a deep skin infection, while bacteremia is when the bacteria enter the bloodstream, both of which can become severe.
Transmission and Treatment
Strep A spreads through respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes and through contact with infected surfaces or skin wounds. The good news is that most Strep A infections can be effectively treated with antibiotics like penicillin. Early treatment is essential to avoid complications, especially in severe cases.
- Strep A infection is an infection of the throat and tonsils – commonly called a sore throat
- It spreads by contact and from coughs and sneezes
- Most Strep A infections cause mild flu with fever and an aching body
- However IGAS ( Invasive Group A streptococcus) can cause serious and life threatening conditions including the flesh eating bug, toxic shock, rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis
- This infection can be cured with a course of antibiotics and prevent complications
- It is more common in children and in households once one person has the infection
You should consider testing for Strep A if you experience the following symptoms, especially if they persist or worsen over a few days:
- A sore throat that starts quickly
- Fever
- Pain when swallowing
- Red spots on the roof of the mouth (a sign often seen in strep throat cases)
- Rash (especially if it’s rough and red, which could indicate scarlet fever)
- Headache
- Symptoms not improving after a few days
If you have multiple symptoms from this list, especially with a fever and sudden onset of a sore throat, it’s advisable to get tested. A rapid strep test or a throat culture can confirm if you have a Strep A infection, helping guide whether antibiotics are necessary.
Other Situations to Consider Testing
- Persistent symptoms: If symptoms linger beyond a few days without improvement.
- Exposure to Strep A: If you’ve been in contact with someone diagnosed with strep throat, particularly if they live in the same household or you’ve been in close quarters.
- Previous Strep A infection: If you’ve recently recovered from a Strep A infection and symptoms reappear, as reinfection or relapse can occasionally happen.
Why Testing is Important
Testing helps determine whether you have a bacterial infection like Strep A, which responds to antibiotics, or a viral infection, which does not.
Why our Strep A test
- Our test is a rapid test
- It can be done at home without a visit to the GP
- It utilises a throat swab and detects Strep A antigens
- The results are reliable and accurate
- They are available within 10 minutes
Rapid Strep A Swab Test Contents
- Test Cassette
- Extraction Buffer
- Sterile Throat Swab
- Buffer A
- Buffer B
Prevention
Regular hand washing, covering coughs or sneezes, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals can help prevent the spread of Strep A.
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