Strep Tests

[cholent]

Unless you go grey.

I'm curious what criteria all of you are looking for to test ?

Pain on swallowing for at least a day
Fever with sore throat
Sore throat for at least a day that looks infected

My doctor won't give a prescription based on my test, but I only go to the Dr for a test when I know it will be positive. Saved lots of time, money, hassle on getting tested only to get negative results.

[yitzgar]

Depends on the kid. One of my kids gets strep often, sometimes with very mild symptoms. Also depends if strep is going around, or if the child just finished taking antibiotics for strep a week or two before (can be resistant depending on what type of antibiotics used etc).
I have a relative that prescribes for me based on my test.

[DaasTora]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2290738089

[Alexsei]

Personally I wouldn't bother testing in the absence of a fever lasting at least 24 hrs

(You might want to call CPS on me)

[etech0]

Personally I wouldn't bother testing in the absence of a fever lasting at least 24 hrs

(You might want to call CPS on me)

my kids have gotten strep many times without fever

[Alexsei]

my kids have gotten strep many times without fever

I didn't say I don't test because there's no strep

[etech0]

I didn't say I don't test because there's no strep

whatever works for you...

[yitzgar]

Personally I wouldn't bother testing in the absence of a fever lasting at least 24 hrs

(You might want to call CPS on me)

Strep usually goes away on its own. The main reason to get antibiotics is to speed up the process (besides the small chance of rheumatic fever). If symptoms are mild it's perfectly fine to skip antibiotics. For me it's more worthwhile to nip it in the bud so as not to be stuck with a kid home from school because the symptoms suddenly got worse and they needed to be tested (and are now known to be contagious)

[etech0]

If symptoms are mild

that's the if. doesn't necessarily correlate with no fever.

[yitzgar]

that's the if. doesn't necessarily correlate with no fever.

I imagine op would test if his child was vomiting and having sore throat and pain

[etech0]

I imagine op would test if his child was vomiting and having sore throat and pain

I hope so

[YitzyS]

If you test positive, how do you get antibiotics?

If it tests positive, I can go to the doctor for another test and antibiotics. But at home testing can save unnecessary trips just for the doctor to say "virus" and send you home.

[moko]

If it tests positive, I can go to the doctor for another test and antibiotics. But at home testing can save unnecessary trips just for the doctor to say "virus" and send you home.

that too

[etech0]

unless you end up with a positive overnight

And some people need to wait a day or two with symptoms until they get a positive test, so this way you can test at home daily until you get a positive and then go to the dr instead of wasting time and a copay.