Who should be tested for strep throat?
There is not an easy system to decide who should be tested for strep throat. However, there are certain predictors that make the possibility of strep tonsillopharyngitis likely. These include: • Children and adolescents between the ages of five and 15 • Late fall, winter, early spring months • Clinical evidence of acute pharyngitis (redness and swelling in throat, white discharge on the tonsils) • Fever of 101 F to 103 F (38 C to 39.4 C) • Large and tender lymph nodes in the neck • Absence of upper respiratory infection symptoms, such as runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough Some clinical studies suggest that if all six of these points are present, then the likelihood of strep throat may be up to 85%. Your doctor may decide if testing is necessary based on these or other clinical factors. How is strep infection treated? Because of potential significant complications (described below), if strep throat is detected, it must be treated adequately with antibiotics. It is important to take
