Strep A Rapid Test Strip Kit Includes:
Each Strep A Test Kit contains enough reagents and materials for 25 tests.
- 25 Test Strips
- 25 Specimen Extraction Tubes
- 25 Collection Swabs
- Extraction Reagent A (8mL): 2.0 M sodium nitrite solution. (Warning: R25 Toxic if
swallowed)
Extraction Reagent B (8mL): 0.4 M acetic acid solution.
- Standard controls:
Positive control (1mL): Extracted (non-infective) group A streptococcus antigen in phosphate buffer containing 0.1% NaN3. (Warning: R22 Harmful if swallowed).
Negative control (1mL): Phosphate buffer containing 0.1% NaN3. (Warning: R22 Harmful if swallowed).
- Leaflet with instructions for use.
Procedure:
Interpretation of Results
Positive (+)
Colored bands are visible in both the control region and the test region. It indicates a positive result for Strep A antigen.
Negative (-)
A colored band is visible only in the control region. No colored band appears in the test region. It indicates that the concentration of the Strep A antigen is zero or below the detection limit of the test.
Invalid
No visible colored band at all, or there is a visible colored band only in the test region but not in the control region. Repeat with a new test kit. If test still fails, please contact manufacturer or the distributor for technical assistance.
Benefits of a Rapid Strep Test
When a Rapid strep throat test is performed it will determine whether a patient's sore throat is viral or bacterial. Every year 15 million Americans see the doctor for sore throat and 70 percent of them get antibiotics to treat it, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. When a Rapid Strep A Test shows a negative result for bacterial infection, it reduces "unnecessary" antibiotics prescriptions written by physicians. The infection may be caused by a viral infection and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. Researchers analyzed over 70,000 results from patients under 15 years old with sore throat that where performed rapid strep test and only 24% where positive for group A streptococcus pharyngitis. When a at home strep test is performed can potentially eliminate the need for doctor's visits.
Difference Between a Sore Throat and Strep Throat Infection
Sore throat or strep throat infection may be caused by a viral illness, which is important to distinguish so doctors do not use antibiotics to treat them. There are several different viruses that can lead to the common cold and possibly upper respiratory infection. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own with at-home care. Different from a viral sore throat is a streptococcal infection (strep throat infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria. It requires additional treatment with antibiotic drugs to prevent complications. It is important to use a rapid strep test to identify strep throat for a number of reasons. If untreated, strep throat can sometimes cause complications such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a rash and even damage to heart valves.