At-Home Strep Tests: A Convenient and Reliable Way to Diagnose Strep Throat
An at-home strep test is a rapid diagnostic test that can be used to detect Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacteria that causes strep throat. These tests are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies and can be performed in the comfort of your own home. To use an at-home strep test, you simply swab the back of your throat and then insert the swab into a test cassette. The results of the test will be available in a few minutes.
At-home strep tests are a convenient and reliable way to diagnose strep throat. They are less invasive than a traditional throat culture, and they can be performed at any time of day or night. At-home strep tests are also relatively inexpensive, costing around $10 to $20. One of the key historical developments in the field of at-home strep tests was the development of the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) in the 1980s. RADTs are simple to use and provide results in just a few minutes, making them an ideal option for at-home testing.
