What Does My Strep Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 27 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 Answered on

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I went to the doctor's to get a strep test done and I didn't witness the nurse wash her hands (she wasn't wearing gloves either) when she administered the swab in my mouth. I am very afraid of germs but didn't say anything. Is it likely that I will get an infection from the swab?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
NO!

Detailed Answer:
HI,

There is no way you will get an infection or contaminated by a germ just from that gesture. Even if any germ got in, the digestive tract would be able to neutralize any such germ for it must be in very small volumes. There is truly nothing to be concerned about.

I hope this helps and I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (5 hours later)

Thank you for the fast reply. I was also wondering what area of the mouth should be swabbed? I thought it was the throat to test for strep but I felt the nurse swabbed the back of my tongue instead. Would the results still be accurate for a rapid strep test or the culture?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The tonsils are located at the back of your tongue!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The tonsils are located at the back of the tongue. That is the right area to have been swapped.

I hope this helps. I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar