Strep Throat Infection: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Modern Saliva-Based Testing

Strep throat infection is a common bacterial illness caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS). Unlike viral sore throats, it requires accurate diagnosis and antibiotic treatment to prevent complications such as rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. Typical symptoms include sudden sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and pain while swallowing. Traditional throat swabs are widely used for diagnosis, but they may cause discomfort and false negatives in some cases. Modern molecular testing methods now allow detection of strep throat infection using non-invasive saliva samples. This approach improves patient comfort, enhances sampling consistency, and delivers rapid, highly accurate results. Learn more about symptoms, causes, diagnosis methods, and advancements in saliva-based testing for strep throat infection.