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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Child Has Positive Strep Tests. Negative Throat Culture For Strep. What Is This?

My 3 year old daughter had a rapid strep test come back positive but a throat culture was negative for strep but the upper respiratory culture come back positive for enterobacter species. What is this? My daughter has had several positive strep tests and has been on antiboditics at least 10 times last year. But now that this has happened how many rapid tests have really been negative in the past?
Mon, 6 May 2013
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Pediatrician 's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

Rapid strep test is not a sensitive test. A culture is a more sensitive test.

Most of the upper respiratory tract infections are usually viral in origin and I would like to wait for at least 24-48 hours before considering to start an antibiotic for an upper respiratory tract infection.

I hope I have answered your query to your satisfaction.

Regards,

RKK
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Pediatrician Dr. Y V Siva Sankara Murty's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Ten courses of antibiotics in one year is too much. You should get a confirmation from a culture done on throat swab before starting her on antibiotics.
Rapid test may be associated with false positives. So get a throat swab for culture.

Continue to ask further queries as required.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
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Child Has Positive Strep Tests. Negative Throat Culture For Strep. What Is This?

Hi, Thank you for your query. Rapid strep test is not a sensitive test. A culture is a more sensitive test. Most of the upper respiratory tract infections are usually viral in origin and I would like to wait for at least 24-48 hours before considering to start an antibiotic for an upper respiratory tract infection. I hope I have answered your query to your satisfaction. Regards, RKK