antibiotics do not help when a sore throat has viral origins, so rapid antigen tests would be extremely useful to determine the cause of acute pharyngitis. Administering the antigen tests would also help physicians properly diagnose and prescribe medication for patients with sore throats. Based on data from multiple trials, there was a large reduction in prescribed antibiotics when a rapid test was used.
A rapid antigen test should be ordered for individuals who have a modified Centor or FeverPAIN score of 2 or 3 to help diagnose a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) INFECTION.