Throat Culture

Quick Strep Test, Rapid Strep Test

Why It Is Done

A throat culture may be done to:

• Find the cause of a sore throat. Most sore throat infections are caused by a virus. A throat culture shows the difference between a bacterial infection and a viral infection. Finding the organism that is causing the infection can guide treatment.
• Check a person who may not have any symptoms of infection but who carries bacteria that can spread to others. This person is called a carrier.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 24, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
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