Throat Culture
Quick Strep Test, Rapid Strep Test
What To Think About
- If you need to be tested for strep throat, the choice between a rapid strep test and a throat culture may not be clear. Talk to your health professional about the rapid strep test versus a throat culture.
- A culture that does not grow any bacteria or fungus generally means an infection is not present. Other factors, such as the amount of sample, the timing of the sample, the type of culture done, and recent use of antibiotics can prevent the growth of bacteria or fungus in the culture.
- Sensitivity testing may be done to help choose the antibiotic that will best treat the bacteria or fungus causing an infection.
- Some people carry bacteria but do not have symptoms of an infection. A throat culture is generally done only if the person's medical history and physical examination suggest that an infection is present.
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| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: September 19, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
| How It Is Done | |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
| Results | |
| What Affects the Test | |
 | What To Think About |
| References | |
| Credits | |