Pediatrics: if three year old tests positive w rapid strep would you perscribe antibiotics? how accurate is rapid strep? pediatricians only please.

Very accurate: Rapid strep tests are very accurate (99% positive predictive value). I would treat.

Yes: The rapid strep is really good at finding people who have strep, but not as good as finding people who don't have strep. Therefore it's positive we treat. But if negative we treat if the reflex throat culture is positive only.

Yes: I would certainly treat with antibiotics. While I try very hard to be judicious in my antibiotic use, strep is NOT something you'd want to miss due to possible complications down the line. Most Rapid strep tests are very reliable with a sensitivity of 92-96%. But the chances that a positive rapid strep will be negative on culture is VERY low.

Rapid and accurate: Short answer is yes treat immediately! If the test is positive you definitely have group A strep which may cause serious complications if left untreated such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Rapid confirmation leads to immediate introduction of antibiotic treatment and shortens the duration of illness and prevents possibility of spread of infection to others.

Strep positive: Streptococcus especially group A Beta is a nasty bug known to lick the joints and bite the heart is what we like to remember.so yes if symptomatic better to treat!

Very Accurate: Yes if positive you have to prescribe Antibiotocs That is the reason the test is done to decide to give or not give antibiotics It is 100% good as positive results.But there is 5% false negative and you still suspect strep do a throat culture

Rapid Strep: If a rapid strep is positive then the child has strep 100% certainty. If the rapid strep is negative there is a 5% chance that the child still has strep and the culture will be the determining factor in that case. A throat culture is only needed to confirm negative rapid strep results.

Yes, although less: common at age 3. At least 2/3 are accurate. If your child is presenting with symptoms and findings of strep it is even more reason to treat. If the screen is negative it can be sent for culture. All the best.

Quick strep test: It is fairly accurate, & if it is positive, yes the child will need antibiotics. Most doctors & hospital do not give antibiotics for pharyngitis unless the strep test is done & is positive. Good luck

Probably: The rapid strep test is very accurate. Antibiotics help improve symptoms and reduce contagiousness. However, England hasn't used antibiotics for Strep in almost 20 years and have shown that most recover on their own in 3-5 days. In older patients, if the symptoms are mild and the parent isn't pressured to return to work I often encourage a watch/wait method.