Is a test done when a patient complains of a sore throat. This test is easy to perform with a swab to the back of the throat to see if there is a bacterial infection with streptococcus. The incidence of sore throats (pharyngitis) varies with season, age of the patient, and geographic area. Sore throats can be caused by infection from either viruses or bacteria. Less than one-third of all pharyngitis is bacterial, the most common bacteria being Group A streptococcus (GAS). Children 5 years to 15 years of age are the most common age group affected. Infection is most likely during the winter/early spring season. This is most likely due in part to the seasonal variation of Strep bacteria concentration in the community as well as the higher likelihood of close proximity due to either weather conditions and/or school attendance during winter months. There are rapid in office test that are most commonly used ,but sometimes a culture will be sent away to a lab to test what is grows over a few days to diagnosis the cause of a sore throat.
12547 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, MD 21842-9689 Phone: (410) 213-0119 Fax: (410) 213-2875
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