Negative strep test but antibiotics?

[Anonymous]

Btw, my per never prescribed antibiotics if the test is negative, unless the longer test comes back positive. And I trust them completely. It's not standard pediatric practice to give meds with a negative result.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Btw, my per never prescribed antibiotics if the test is negative, unless the longer test comes back positive. And I trust them completely. It's not standard pediatric practice to give meds with a negative result.

^^ped

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had my most horrendous case of strep with a negative test.

Its up to you, but you could give your child tonight's dose and consult with your doctor tomorrow to either confirm or cancel the rest of the course.

Me too - it was HORRIBLE and they said it looked text book strep but the test was neg.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Well, it is strep after all. I took DC to the pediatrician's office this morning, and the rapid test was positive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I got home from work this evening, I found my DC (age 5) with a fever of 102-3 and quite lethargic (which is quite unusual, based on previous episodes with fever). Since the pediatrician's office was already closed, I took DC to the urgent care around the corner from my house - to check for an ear infection and strep.

Well, the rapid strep test came back negative, and there was no ear infection. Nevertheless, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic because she thought it looked like strep.

Now I am sitting at home, debating whether to give the antibiotic now or wait until I talk to our pediatrician tomorrow.

WWYD?

Absolutely NOT! Viruses cause most fevers. You are doing more harm than good giving an antibiotic for no reason. It will NOT help. As a matter of fact most pediatricians do not give antibiotics for ear infections unless they are severe. Even infections go away without antibiotics. Let your child build up immunity and be susceptible to antibiotics when they are truly needed. They will thank you later in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Well, it is strep after all. I took DC to the pediatrician's office this morning, and the rapid test was positive!

The first office did not swab correctly, usually don't touch the back and swab long enough because the kids is squirming and gagging. It takes 3-5 seconds to get a good swab. 99% of false negatives were swabbed incorrectly. A rapid stress test is very accurate. RN here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Well, it is strep after all. I took DC to the pediatrician's office this morning, and the rapid test was positive!

The first office did not swab correctly, usually don't touch the back and swab long enough because the kids is squirming and gagging. It takes 3-5 seconds to get a good swab. 99% of false negatives were swabbed incorrectly. A rapid stress test is very accurate. RN here.

OP here. The test has a 95 percent sensitivity. My understanding is that the false negatives are 5 out of 100.

[Anonymous]

NO NO NO, strep can absolutely test negative and still be there. Trust me. - Pandas mom (we have had a few positives, and a few negatives - they produce the same symptoms, but sometimes they don't test positive).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Well, it is strep after all. I took DC to the pediatrician's office this morning, and the rapid test was positive!

The first office did not swab correctly, usually don't touch the back and swab long enough because the kids is squirming and gagging. It takes 3-5 seconds to get a good swab. 99% of false negatives were swabbed incorrectly. A rapid stress test is very accurate. RN here.

RN, be careful. You're talking outside your expertise. MD here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Well, it is strep after all. I took DC to the pediatrician's office this morning, and the rapid test was positive!

The first office did not swab correctly, usually don't touch the back and swab long enough because the kids is squirming and gagging. It takes 3-5 seconds to get a good swab. 99% of false negatives were swabbed incorrectly. A rapid stress test is very accurate. RN here.

RN, be careful. You're talking outside your expertise. MD here.

Ha! I doubt that.