Throat Culture

Quick Strep Test, Rapid Strep Test

Test Overview

A throat culture is a test to find a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection in the throat. A sample swabbed from the throat is put in a special cup (culture) that allows infections to grow. If an infection grows, the culture is positive. The type of infection is found using a microscope, chemical tests, or both. If no infection grows, the culture is negative.

Examples of infections that may be found during a throat culture include:

• Candida albicans. This fungus causes thrush, an infection of the mouth and tongue and sometimes of the throat. See an illustration of thrush in the mouth.
• Neisseria meningitidis. This bacteria can cause meningitis.
• Group A streptococcus. This bacteria can cause strep throat, scarlet fever, and rheumatic fever. If strep throat is likely, a test called a rapid strep test (or quick strep) may be done before a throat culture. With a rapid strep test, results are ready in 10 minutes instead of 1 to 2 days with a throat culture. If the rapid strep test results are positive, antibiotics can be started immediately. A throat culture is more accurate than the rapid strep test. The rapid strep test can give false-negative results even when strep bacteria are present. When the results of a rapid strep test are negative, many health professionals recommend doing a throat culture to make sure that strep throat is not present.

If an infection grows in the culture, other tests may be done to check which antibiotic will treat the infection best. This is called susceptibility or sensitivity testing.

	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 24, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.