Investigations
-
Throat swab
- The sample will be checked in a lab for streptococcal bacteria.
- Results are available within 2-3 days.
- Test + → bacterial infection
- Test - → viral infection
-
Throat swabs should not be carried out routinely in primary care management of sore throat.
-
May be used to establish an etiology of recurrent severe episodes in adults when considering referral for tonsillectomy.
Rapid Antigen Testing
- Sensitivities between 59 and 95% and specificities over 90%
- Samples are taken from a throat swab and results are available within 10 minutes.
Additional Investigations
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Radiologic imaging
- Allergy tests
- You may be referred to
an ENT doctor or other specialist
if …