Strep A test

Information about the Strep A test STREPA'LERT

A sore throat is frequently the result of an infection caused by bacteria or viruses.

The Strep A test is a clinically validated and certified home medical diagnostic test for the detection of bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes in a throat swab.

The Strep A test is especially useful in distinguishing between streptococcal infection (positive result) or, for example, viral infection (negative result).

Knowing the cause of throat infection can help you choose the right therapy and speed up the recovery.

Testing streptococcal infection with this Strep A test is straightforward. You carry out the analysis in four steps:

1. Swab the throat.
2. Mix the swab sample with the test solution.
3. Insert the test strip into the mixture.
4. After 5 to 10 minutes, read the result.

Individuals usually complete the test within 5 minutes. Then there is an additional 5 to 10 minutes waiting time for the result to appear.

The test is manufactured in France according to the ISO13485 and CE certified by the notified body 0483¹.

This Strep A test is very accurate. In a clinical study, the test showed the correct result in 96.4% of cases.

The Strep A self-test kit that you receive at home contains all the accessories you need to carry out the analysis by yourself at home.

You receive the test together with Sanotest quality guarantee. If you fail to get a result, we will replace it with a new one for free.

Sore throat - strep bacteria or virus?

A sore throat is commonly a result of an infection. Infection can be bacterial (most commonly streptococci), viral (rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and others) as well as fungal.

The most prevalent are viral throat infections, followed by bacterial throat infections.²

Treatment of a bacterial throat infection differentiates from the treatment of a viral throat infection. In case of a viral infection, antibiotics do not make sense because antibiotics are not effective against viruses.

Viral throat infections usually resolve on their own. Contrary, streptococcal throat infections need special attention because they can cause more severe health complications.³

Therefore, for applying the right treatment, it is essential to know whether the cause of a sore throat is a bacterial or viral infection.

Bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes is a group A streptococcus (Strep A). It is the most prevalent bacterial cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis).⁴

Strep A causes a range of health problems, from milder forms such as pharyngitis to more severe complications such as sepsis.⁵ Streptococcus A is also the most common cause of angina.

Throat infection in children 5 - 15 years of age is in 30% of cases caused by Strep A and in 70% by viruses. In adults, the proportion of bacterial infections is 5-15%.⁴

When does it make sense to perform the Strep A test?

When an individual has a sore throat, it is often difficult to tell whether it is viral or bacterial, just based on the symptoms alone.²

In such a case, it is helpful to perform the Strep A test to avoid potentially irrelevant antibiotic treatment and choose the correct therapy.

It is best to perform a Strep A test when you experience symptoms of strep throat. These symptoms are swollen throat or tonsils, body aches, headache, fatigue, vomiting and apathy.

IMPORTANT: Testing is not suitable for children under two years of age.

The test enables you to determine if the reason for sore throat is infection with Strep A bacteria or there are perhaps other microbes (frequently viruses) involved.

By knowing the cause of sore throat, you will be able to influence more effective treatment and faster recovery, after consulting your doctor.

What is the main benefit of a home Strep A test?

The main benefit of this Strep A test is that you can do it yourself at home and find out the result in 10 minutes.

The test is equivalent to a rapid Strep A test performed in a laboratory or at a physician's office.

You do not need to send a sample in the laboratory. You receive the Strep A testing kit at home with all the accessories you need to perform the test by yourself.

How accurate is the Strep A test?

The Strep A test is 96.4% accurate. The accuracy of the test has been validated in a clinical performance evaluation study.

Results of this Strep A test have been compared with the results of the reference medical laboratory method. In 96.4% of cases, results correlated.

The test is also very reliable. It is manufactured in France under strict conditions defined by the ISO 13485, and it is CE certified in Germany by the Notification body 0483.

How to perform the Strep A test at home?

Testing Strep A with this test is very easy and completely safe if you precisely follow the instructions for testing.

For the analysis, you need to take a swab sample from the inflamed part of the throat. Accessories for swab collection come with the kit.

You carry out the analysis in four steps:

1. Swab the throat.
2. Mix the swab sample with the test solution.
3. Insert the test strip into the mixture.
4. After 5 to 10 minutes, read the result.

Individuals usually complete the analysis in 5 minutes. Then, there is an additional 10-minute waiting time for the result to appear.

You should read instructions for use before you start the testing procedure. Individuals usually do not have difficulties using the test. Still, in case you find it difficult, we are here to help you. Contact our customer service.

How to interpret the result of a Strep A test?

Results of the Strep A test are interpreted visually as positive, negative or invalid.

Negative result: A negative test result means that the test did not detect Strep A in the sample or that it is under the detection limit. In such a case, it is highly probable that a virus is causing your sore throat. If symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor.

Positive result: A positive test result means that the test has detected a Strep A in the sample. In such a case, you should consult a doctor who will decide on further steps.

Invalid result: the Sanotest Quality Guarantee applies. Please contact us

Literatura:

¹ European Commission. Tools and Databases, Legislation. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.nb&refe_cd=EPOS_43805 (17. 8. 2020)
² Kenealy T. (2007). Sore throat. BMJ clinical evidence, 2007, 1509.
³ NHS. Sore throat. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/ (9. 9. 2020)
⁴ Worrall G. J. (2007). Acute sore throat. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 53(11), 1961–1962.
⁵ Ibrahim, J., Eisen, J. A., Jospin, G., Coil, D. A., Khazen, G., & Tokajian, S. (2016). Genome Analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes Associated with Pharyngitis and Skin Infections. PloS one, 11(12), e0168177.