In most cases, to make a correct diagnosis, the pediatrician only needs to examine the patient. But in order not to miss the bacteria, the doctor may prescribe additional tests with scarlet fever in children. They are done quickly enough and then you can accurately assign correct treatment and avoid complications.
Scarlet fever is a dangerous bacterial infection caused by bacteria of the genus streptococcus, group A. Previously, it was very serious and frequent illness in children, is rare today. reduced the severity of symptoms and the prevalence of the disease.
The most dangerous complications are those caused by streptococcal toxins. In order to avoid this, it is enough to start treatment on time. Therefore, a correct and timely diagnosis is the key to a positive course of the disease.
The doctor first does a physical examination of the patient to check for the presence of the disease. During the initial examination, the pediatrician checks the condition of your child's tongue, throat, lymph nodes and tonsils. The doctor will also examine the appearance and texture of the rash.
If your baby is suspected of having scarlet fever, the doctor should send you for tests. This will be a swab from the throat, as well as a blood test; sometimes doctors insist on donating urine.
The purpose of this diagnosis is not only to determine whether there is a disease or not, but also to find out the severity of the disease and the manifestations of possible complications.
Required for correct diagnosis. The procedure is very simple. Using a clean spatula or a special swab, a swab is made from the throat. Then all this is placed in a test tube with a special solution and sent to the laboratory. Next, the contents are placed in a nutrient medium and wait until the colonies of bacteria that the baby has in the throat grow. This takes several hours.
Thus, it is determined whether group A streptococcus is among these bacteria, and the sensitivity to certain antibiotics is also determined. And this is important for proper further treatment.
The method is not always accurate, since normally healthy people streptococcus may be detected in the smear, and also if the mother began independent unplanned treatment and used an antibiotic, the result will be negative.
Appointed general analysis blood, which will tell you whether there is inflammation in the body and the presence of a bacterial infection. You can never tell from a blood test whether you have scarlet fever or not, but the following indicators are observed: neutrophilia with shift leukocyte formula left, increased ESR, leukocytosis.
There are special express tests to detect streptococcus. They are often used by parents of children who often suffer from sore throats. This is a home method for identifying bacteria.
It's called Streptatest. The instructions indicate that it shows the presence of group A hemolytic streptococcus in the throat. This can occur not only with scarlet fever, but also with sore throat, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis.
The test is very fast, you will see the result in five minutes. With a special tampon take a sample from the throat and tonsils, put it in special solution, then put the test itself there - a strip and wait for the result.
If group streptococcus is detected. And we can assume that the child has scarlet fever or streptococcal tonsillitis. But treatment in any case will be with an antibiotic. If the result is negative – this analysis will help avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics.
The price is quite reasonable; for 5 test strips you will pay approximately 1000 - 1300 rubles.
In any case, about the results of your home diagnostics you must notify your doctor.
Symptoms of the disease are similar to other childhood infections, such as measles, rubella, and pseudotuberculosis. Therefore, it is very important to differentiate (separate) all these diseases and make a correct diagnosis. After all, the treatment of all these infections will be radically different.
For differential diagnosis take all the main diseases and compare them according to their characteristics. Here is a table comparing the symptoms of scarlet fever, measles and rubella.
As we already know, it is not scarlet fever itself that is scary, but the complications that arise in the body after it. Therefore, if the diagnosis is confirmed and antibiotic therapy is prescribed, the doctor will refer you for the following tests.
A urine test is prescribed to determine whether there is such a serious complication as glumerulonephritis. If present, protein, leukocytes, casts and red blood cells are found in the urine.
An ECG is used if the doctor suspects myocarditis. And if diffuse myocarditis is suspected, ECHO cardiography is also prescribed.
Instructions for use
1.5 aluminum foil pouches of test strips, desiccant pouch.
2.5 smear swabs with CE mark.
3.5 extraction tubes.
4.5 tongue supports with CE marking.
5. Jar with extraction reagent A (sodium nitrite 2M), 10 ml.
6. Jar with extraction reagent B (acetic acid 0.4 M), 10 ml.
7. Abstract.
Streptatest is a universal express test for a doctor and a patient, which allows you to diagnose within 5 minutes the presence or absence of dangerous group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus in the throat. Such timely express diagnosis of streptococcus will help protect against unreasonable treatment, will not allow streptococcal sore throat to be missed, and the most important thing is to prevent the development of severe complications!
Streptatest is an immunochromatographic test with a membrane that works according to the sandwich principle.
Streptatest rapid test for the diagnosis of beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A No. 5
Without a license
Do not use after expiration date.
Do not change the lids of reagent bottles. Samples may be contaminated with infectious agents. Material in direct contact with samples is considered contaminated. Follow the instructions taking precautions.
With inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue throats.
If you suspect a sore throat, pharyngitis, scarlet fever.
You can see the delivery points closest to you in Moscow.
Directions for use
2. Preparation of the reagent (drop 4 drops from the yellow bottle into the extraction bottle).
3. Taking material (take a smear from the surface of the tonsils and back wall pharynx without touching the gums, tongue, palate).
4. Place the swab with the material in the test tube, twist 10 times and leave for 1 minute.
5. Squeeze the cotton swab into the solution.
6.Dip the test strip with the arrows pointing down into the solution for 5 minutes and read the results.
All the best!
Unfortunately, I recently began to suspect that my child has Scarlet Fever. This is an ancient disease that almost no one gets sick with now.
Despite the fact that in the title of this topic the test is called a rapid test for sore throat. In fact, its name does not contain the word sore throat.
And it is used to diagnose group A Streptococcus, located in the oral cavity.
💉How did a child get scarlet fever?💉
On the first day she had typical signs of acute respiratory infections. High temperature and red throat, in which I later noticed some white deposits. I thought common illness, but on the second day the whole body, and especially its lateral surfaces, became covered with a small red rash. I didn’t even immediately realize that it was a rash. I thought she was just red from a high fever. But in bright light, I realized that the redness was not uniform, but small specks.
At this point I got very scared. Cases of measles have become more frequent in our region.
And then I noticed that the child’s tongue had become a pimple.
Panicking, I called an ambulance. The emergency doctor said that we either had rubella or scarlet fever. But the symptoms are not pronounced and observation is required.
The situation is complicated, because rubella is a virus, and scarlet fever requires immediate use of antibiotics.
I asked the doctor to tell me what diagnostic methods exist and she suggested purchasing an express test for identifying Streptococcus A at the pharmacy. The fact is that streptococcus of this group causes scarlet fever, sore throat and other diseases in children.
And if some signs of scarlet fever are present and if the test is confirmed, it will be possible to draw an unambiguous conclusion.
Although, as far as I know, such a tongue only occurs with scarlet fever.
But I decided to buy and carry out the test, so as not to think later that I was in vain giving the child a loading dose of antibiotics.
💉How to use the test💉
Stereptotest is sold in two different versions: 2 pcs. per package and 5 pcs. I purchased 2 pcs.
The kit includes:
The test method is described in detail in the instructions. Mini-laboratory work is required. I even doubted whether I would succeed.
There is also a more visual image.
First you need to take a throat swab. I held the tongue with a spatula and after several attempts I managed to force the child to open his throat and anointed cotton swab along the tonsils. Of course, it’s not easy to do this if you’re not used to it.
Then she took a test tube and first dropped 4 drops of one reagent A.
Which according to the instructions should have been pink color. But for some reason it was absolutely transparent.
Then 4 drops of reagent B. You need to drip with caution, you can easily pour out more.
Then shake it all up and dip a cotton swab in it.
She carefully immersed the stick in the liquid, turned it there and left it for a minute.
Then I dipped the test strip into the test tube. It looks just like a pregnancy test.
I saw the results almost immediately.
Two stripes began to appear, after 5 minutes you can evaluate the final result.
Thus, the diagnosis of scarlet fever was confirmed.
Hi all!
Today I want to talk about Streptatest. I only recently found out about the existence of such a test, so I had to hastily scour the Internet to find out how to use it. Although, of course, there are instructions, but not all questions are answered there. But first things first...
Recently, my child and I spent time in the infectious diseases department, twice in 1.5 months. Both times with a sore throat. Of course I had to take 2 courses of antibiotics. After leaving the hospital for the second time, the child began to have problems with the abdomen - mesadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes while taking antibiotics). We started treatment... and suddenly the child’s high temperature, does not go astray for almost a day, the ambulance takes us to the hospital and there they again offer antibiotic treatment, again suspecting streptococcal sore throat. To my suggestion - to check with a smear for streptococcus - they answered that the smear takes 5 days to prepare, and it needs to be treated immediately, in order to avoid complications.
Of course, I was in shock - the third course of antibiotics in 1.5 months??? We will kill all the immunity! In any case, there were no free beds in the hospital and we were sent home for treatment, prescribed tablets (antibiotics).
A pediatrician friend advised me to buy Streptatest and find out for sure about the presence of streptococcus. I bought it.
Here's a box:
Price: 800 rub.
Quantity: 2 tests
The kit includes:
1 Instructions
2 test strips
2 test tubes
2 cotton swabs
2 reagents
2 spatulas for pressing down the tongue.
How to analyze:
According to the instructions, it should have been pink. But for some reason it was absolutely transparent...
Carefully immerse the stick in the liquid, turn it there and leave for a minute.
Wait 5 minutes (no more and no less) and watch the result.
Ours was negative. One stripe.
It was not possible to take a photo of the process because time passed by minutes, it was very difficult for the child.
This test must be done correctly, strictly following the instructions. Otherwise the result may be false. And this will lead to improper treatment. My hands were actually shaking. The child lies with a temperature of 39, antipyretics do not help, the injection from the ambulance did not help (the famous three-way).
I was already ready to give antibiotics, just to reduce it. But still she restrained herself.
So, after seeing a negative result, I came to the conclusion that this viral disease(and my opinion was confirmed by a pediatrician friend; she could not come to us, but advised me by phone). That's why they gave the child Viferon. And after a couple of hours the temperature began to subside!
Of course, at this time I wiped my son with water and gave him plenty to drink.
I want to warn you right away: not all bacterial infections reduced to one streptococcus. That yes - negative the test does not mean that it is 100% a virus, it could be another bacteria. But since we had 2 cases of such a sore throat, we were afraid of streptococcus. And our version was confirmed when we started treatment virus-child recovered.
Instructions for use
1.5 aluminum foil pouches of test strips, desiccant pouch.
2.5 smear swabs with CE mark.
3.5 extraction tubes.
4.5 tongue supports with CE marking.
5. Jar with extraction reagent A (sodium nitrite 2M), 10 ml.
6. Jar with extraction reagent B (acetic acid 0.4 M), 10 ml.
7. Abstract.
Streptatest is a universal express test for a doctor and a patient, which allows you to diagnose within 5 minutes the presence or absence of dangerous group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus in the throat. Such timely express diagnosis of streptococcus will help protect against unreasonable treatment, will not allow streptococcal sore throat to be missed, and the most important thing is to prevent the development of severe complications!
Streptatest is an immunochromatographic test with a membrane that works according to the sandwich principle.
Streptatest rapid test for the diagnosis of beta-hemolytic streptococcus group A No. 5
Without a license
Do not use after expiration date.
Do not change the lids of reagent bottles. Samples may be contaminated with infectious agents. Material in direct contact with samples is considered contaminated. Follow the instructions taking precautions.
With inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx.
If you suspect a sore throat, pharyngitis, scarlet fever.
You can see the delivery points closest to you in Moscow.
Directions for use
2. Preparation of the reagent (drop 4 drops from the yellow bottle into the extraction bottle).
3. Taking material (take a smear from the surface of the tonsils and the back wall of the pharynx without touching the gums, tongue, palate).
4. Place the swab with the material in the test tube, twist 10 times and leave for 1 minute.
5. Squeeze the cotton swab into the solution.
6.Dip the test strip with the arrows pointing down into the solution for 5 minutes and read the results.
