US Medical Term · tests
Rapid Strep Test
Prueba rápida de estreptococo
Also: Prueba rápida de estreptococo A (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Rapid Strep Test |
| Spanish (Español) | Prueba rápida de estreptococo |
| Chinese (中文) | 快速鏈球菌檢測 |
| Korean (한국어) | 신속 연쇄구균 검사 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Xét nghiệm liên cầu khuẩn nhanh |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Rapid Strep Test |
| Portuguese (Português) | Teste rápido para estreptococo |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตรวจสเตรปโตคอคคัสอย่างรวดเร็ว |
| Japanese (日本語) | 迅速レンサ球菌検査 |
What it means
A rapid strep test detects group A Streptococcus bacteria in the throat in about five to ten minutes. A healthcare provider uses a sterile swab to wipe the back of your throat and tonsils. The swab is placed in a chemical solution that produces a colored line if strep bacteria are present, similar to a home pregnancy test strip. A positive result means you likely have strep throat and need antibiotics to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever. A negative result does not completely rule out strep, so many clinics send a follow-up throat culture to confirm. The test is quick and causes only brief gagging but no real pain.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Can the rapid strep test give a false negative, and should I also get a throat culture?
¿Puede la prueba rápida de estreptococo dar un falso negativo y debo también hacerme un cultivo de garganta?
My rapid strep test came back positive — how soon should I start antibiotics?
Mi prueba rápida de estreptococo salió positiva — ¿cuán pronto debo empezar los antibióticos?
How long will I still be contagious with strep throat after I start taking antibiotics?
¿Cuánto tiempo seguiré siendo contagioso con estreptococo después de empezar los antibióticos?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026