Strep Test
The test for Group A beta hemolytic streptococci.
Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococci (GAS) are the most common cause of pharyngitis and can present with the following signs and symptoms:
Signs:
- Beefy red swollen uvula and tonsils
- Anterior cervical lymph node swelling
- Redness and exudate on the tonsils and pharynx.
Symptoms:
- Sudden onset sore throat
- Pain on swallowing
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Abdominal Pain
The complications of GAS throat infection are non-suppurative complications like rheumatic fever (3% risk) and glomerulonephritis (0.2-2%) and suppurative complications like cervical lymphadenitis, peritonsillar abscesses and otitis media. The prevention of both types of complications from an acute GAS infection is debatable, as there are those who claim the incidence of rheumatic fever in the western world is so low that there is no need to treat unless there is the risk of suppurative complications or the patient is living in poor conditions. Others are in favour of a 10 day course of penicillin regardless of the severity of the infection.