Rapid strep testing in children with recently treated streptococcal pharyngitis.

Importance: The use of the rapid antigen-detection test (RADT) has become the standard of care in the early diagnosis of group A beta-hemolytic (GAS) pharyngitis. Concern has been expressed over increased false positives when the child had been treated recently for GAS pharyngitis, resulting in over use of antibiotics.

Objective: To determine if the false positive rate for RADT is increased in children recently treated for GAS pharyngitis.