Streptococcus Throat

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, look for signs and symptoms of strep throat, and probably order one or more of the following tests:

Rapid antigen test. Your doctor may perform a rapid antigen test on a swab sample from your throat. This test can detect strep bacteria in minutes by looking for substances (antigens) in the throat. If the test is negative but your doctor still suspects strep, he or she might do a throat culture.

Molecular (polymerase chain reaction, or PCR) test. This test is also done using a swab sample from your throat.

Throat culture. A sterile swab is rubbed over the back of the throat and tonsils to get a sample of the secretions. It's not painful, but it may cause gagging. The sample is then cultured in a laboratory for the presence of bacteria, but results can take as long as two days.

Strep throat, caused by bacteria, is one type of sore throat that can be treated. It isn't handled in the same way as sore throats caused by colds and other viruses, so your doctor will likely do what’s called a “rapid strep test” to be sure it's strep

If the test is positive (meaning you or your child has it), they’ll probably recommend:

Antibiotics to kill the bacteria that’s causing it

Rest to help you get better faster

Over-the-counter medicines and home remedies to ease symptoms

Antibiotics

This class of drugs is able to kill the group A Streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat. They will work only on bacteria. They have no effect on sore throats caused by viruses.

Antibiotics can:

Relieve a sore throat and other symptoms when they are caused by strep

Help your child get better faster

Make it less likely it will be spread to others

Help prevent complications such as sinus and tonsil infections, and more serious things such as rheumatic fever

Doctors most often prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin (Amoxil) to treat strep throat. They are the top choices because they're safer, inexpensive, and they work well on strep bacteria.

Kids or adults who are allergic to penicillin may be able to take one of these antibiotics instead:

Azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak)

Cephalosporins, including cefixime (Suprax), cefuroxime (Ceftin), and cephalexin (Keflex)

Clarithromycin (Biaxin)

Clindamycin (Cleocin)