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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
Rapid diagnostic tests (or rapid diagnostic orientation test) make it possible to know in just a few minutes whether angina is of bacterial or viral origin. This simple test is all the more necessary as an increase in cases of invasive group A streptococcal infections is reported. But where and how to do it?
If having a sore throat is relatively common, the occurrence of angina should not be taken lightly. Since the beginning of the month, an upsurge in invasive streptococcal A infections has caused the hospitalization of 8 children in France (2 of whom have died), and several cases in adults (1 death). Detecting the presence or not of the bacterium in the event of an infection is therefore a necessity in order to treat patients correctly and avoid risks.
The TROD, a test to sort out bacterial and viral angina
For Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo, carrying out a rapid diagnostic test, carried out with a simple swab in the throat to identify a viral or bacterial origin, is obvious in the event of angina, and this, for many reasons :
“Faced with any angina, it is necessary to consult and do this rapid test, to detect whether the streptococcus A bacterium is in question or not, and to decide whether to treat with antibiotics to avoid complications just like acute articular rheumatism.
But the test would also make it possible to avoid antibiotics in the event of viral angina, since they are then useless:
“Only 10% of angina are bacterial, he remindsantibiotic treatment should only be given in the event of a positive TROD”
The rapid diagnostic orientation test is a simple swab taken from the throat using a long cotton swab provided for this purpose. The sample is analyzed using liquid reagents. Depending on the color of the strip, we then know whether strep A is present or not, all in just 5 to 10 minutes. However, the TROD is not a home test. According to the latest Ameli recommendations:
- If you are sick, the TROD is generally carried out in consultation with your general practitioner, your pediatrician or your ENT specialist;
- In the absence of a medical consultation, this gesture has been possible since July 1, 2021, in pharmacies by his pharmacist when the symptoms presented by the patient justify it. It concerns adults and children over 10 years old only. In the event of a positive test result, the pharmacist will refer the patient to his doctor.
- Since December 2021, in the event of suspected group A streptococcal angina, the doctor also has the possibility of including the mention “if TROD positive angina, within x calendar days”. This mention will allow the pharmacist to deliver the antibiotic only if the result of the angina TROD carried out in the pharmacy is positive, within a maximum of 7 days.
The performance of the TROD in a pharmacy, at a cost of 6 euros, is covered at 70% by health insurance.