What is being tested?

The test identifies Streptococcus pyogenes, known as Group A streptococci, which are bacteria that infect the back of the throat and cause the common infection called strep throat. Although Streptococcus pyogenes is the most common bacterial pathogen in throat infections, it is not the only cause of "strep throat". Bacteria such as Group C and G streptococci and the genus Arcanobacteria also cause this type of infection. 

How is it used?

The majority of sore throats are caused by a virus and do not require active treatment with antibiotics. Some, caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium, may be severe and are treatable with antibiotics. Your doctor may use a throat culture if they think you might have strep throat to help make the correct diagnosis. This allows your doctor to prescribe the proper antibiotics for treatment. A throat culture may take several days to get results.

When is it requested?

Your doctor may request this test if you have a sore throat and a fever that might be due to a bacterial infection. Other symptoms include:

• tonsils that may appear red with white or yellow spots at the back of the throat
• a swollen, tender neck
• skin rash
• weakness
• loss of appetite

What does the result mean?

A positive throat culture indicates the presence of group A Streptococci, the bacteria that cause strep throat.

Is there anything else I should know?

Strep throat may be contagious and spreads through person-to-person contact. Symptoms usually occur within two to seven days after exposure. If untreated, this throat infection can create serious lifelong problems in a small minority of patients.

Strep throat is most common in 5 to 10 year-olds. Up to 20 per cent of school children may be 'carriers' - people who have the bacteria but who have no symptoms. Carriers can still spread the infection to others.

Common questions

• Do I need antibiotics?

Antibiotics are recommended for people at high risk of developing lifelong problems from the infection. For people at low risk antibiotics shorten duration of symptoms by about 1 day and may not always be recommended by your doctor.

• How long does treatment for strep throat usually last?

Five to ten days.

• When can my child go back to school?

Usually after one full day of therapy and absence of significant fever

• If one child in my family has strep throat, is everyone going to get sick?

Other family members, including adults, can contract the bacteria.

• What is an ASO test and how is it used to detect a strep infection?

Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titre is a blood test used to help diagnose a current or past infection with Group A strep (Streptococcus pyogenes). It detects antibodies to streptolysin O, one of the many antigens. This test is rarely used now compared to thirty years ago. For an acute strep throat infection, this test is not performed; the throat culture is used.

However, if a doctor is trying to find out if someone had a recent strep infection that may not have been diagnosed, this test could be helpful. In addition, it may be used to help diagnose rheumatic fever, which occurs weeks after a strep throat infection when the throat culture would no longer be positive.

More information

RCPA Manual: Throat swab