Why Accuracy Is Critical in Strep Testing

Accurate strep testing plays a vital role in protecting children’s health. When diagnostic results are incorrect, patients may receive the wrong treatment. False negatives can allow infections to progress, increasing the risk of complications such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever. False positives lead to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, exposing children to side effects and contributing to antibiotic resistance. Precise testing ensures proper treatment from the very first visit, giving both parents and clinicians confidence in care.

The Limitations of Standard Rapid Strep Tests

Traditional rapid strep tests, though widely used, miss up to 30% of true Group A Streptococcus infections. When results are unclear, clinicians must order a backup throat culture to confirm the diagnosis. This creates delays, additional visits, and anxiety for families.

To better understand the advantages of saliva-based molecular testing, read our blog on
Next-Generation PCR Technology

Delays With Throat Culture Results

Throat cultures typically require 24–48 hours to return results. During that waiting period, children may continue to experience pain, fever, and sore throat symptoms. Some parents choose to keep their child home from school to avoid spreading infection, further impacting daily life. Follow-up visits also increase clinical workload and healthcare costs.

Why Parents and Clinicians Trust SalivIQ™

SalivIQ™ combines accuracy with convenience:

✅ 100% accuracy in internal validation (n=102)
✅ Non-invasive saliva collection
✅ Rapid turnaround with same-visit results
✅ No follow-up throat culture required

For pediatricians, urgent care clinics, and school health clinics, SalivIQ™ ensures confident, point-of-care decision making.

For a deeper look at why saliva sampling improves comfort and reliability, see
No-Swab Strep Test for Kids

How Saliva-Based Diagnostics Improve Accuracy

Saliva sampling is paired with qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) technology, which detects bacterial DNA at extremely low concentrations. Because saliva collects bacteria throughout the mouth, it provides a more comprehensive sample than a single throat swab. This leads to improved sensitivity during early infections – long before symptoms worsen – helping clinicians make confident decisions immediately at the point-of-care.

You can also explore how saliva testing is transforming broader infectious disease diagnostics in our blog on Saliva Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases

Preventing Antibiotic Overuse in Children

Accurate strep testing has another important benefit: reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. When antibiotics are given without a true bacterial infection, children may experience avoidable side effects such as rash, diarrhea, and medication intolerance. Repeated misuse also contributes to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing global health threat. Inappropriate pediatric prescriptions cost an estimated $21.3 million annually, demonstrating the widespread impact of misdiagnosis.

Learn More About SalivIQ™

Experience the benefits of accurate strep diagnostics for your clinic or child today