Now Offering Strep Testing, with results in 5 minutes!
Why is it important to test for Strep?
Rapid diagnosis and early antibiotic therapy for Group A Streptococcal infection are the best means of preventing medical complications and reducing the spread of the disease.
Group A Strep is a bacterial infection common in school-age children (with limited cases in infants and older adults) that is generally experienced in the United States during winter and spring.
Streptococcus pyogenes is a gram-positive coccus, which contains the Lancefield group A antigen that can cause serious infections such as pharyngitis, respiratory infection, impetigo, endocarditis, meningitis, puerperal sepsis, and arthritis. Left untreated these infections can lead to serious complications, including rheumatic fever and peritonsillar abscess. Traditional identification procedures for group A streptococcal infection involve the isolation and identification of viable organisms using techniques that require 24 to 48 hours or longer.
Rapid diagnosis and early antibiotic therapy of group A streptococcal infection appear to be the best means of preventing medical complications and reducing the spread of the disease.
What type of testing is offered by Rancho Pharmacy?
Group A Streptococcus rapid antigen testing is a digital immunoassay that quickly efficiently and reliably detects the presence of Group A Strep antigen from throat swabs of patients suspected of having Group A Strep. It is a qualitative test that detects the presence of Strep A antigen in throat swab specimens from symptomatic patients, providing results within 5 minutes.
The test is a simple throat swab sample collection with fast, reliable results in as few as 5 minutes.
The test utilizes antibodies specific for whole cell Lancefield group A Streptococcus to selectively detect Strep A antigen.
What is the sensitivity of the test?
Sensitivity measures the ability of the test to appropriately make a positive identification. The test has a high sensitivity rate of 95.4%, resulting in fewer false negatives.
What is the specificity rate?
Specificity measures the ability of the test to properly identify the absence of the test target. The test has a high specificity rate of 95.7%, resulting in fewer false positives.
What happens if I receive a positive test?
If you receive a positive test you should immediately contact your doctor. If you would like our pharmacy to contact your doctor please let the pharmacist know so that we may coordinate with your provider. Your doctor will decide on how to proceed further and may choose to prescribe an antibiotic. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic our pharmacy is happy to assist with filling your prescription.
What is the cost of the test?
The test costs $30. At this time, we are unable to accept insurance however we are more than happy to provide you with receipt so you may attempt to seek reimbursement from your insurance.
