Description
Specific immunological test for the detection of group A streptococcus bacteria in throat infection. It helps you quickly know whether your sore throat is caused by Streptococcus A or other germs (usually viruses) that do not require antibiotic treatment.

Instructions for use
Place the contents of the box on a clean, dry and flat surface (e.g. table).
Wash your hands thoroughly. Use soap and warm water.
Place the extraction tube into a hole in the workstation.

Sample collection
Collect a sample from the throat using the swab and tongue depressor provided. Open the package containing the tongue depressor and place it nearby. Open the package containing the swab and remove it by holding the plastic handle.
Avoid touching the absorbent cotton tip of the swab with your hands.
Stand in front of a mirror, tilt your head back and open your mouth as wide as possible. Using the tongue depressor with one hand, press the tongue and with the other hand brush the soft cotton ball over the back of the throat, around the tonsils and any red, painful areas (uvula, soft palate) to collect the sample.
Of course, you can ask for help with sample collection.

Carrying out the test procedure
After collecting the throat sample, insert the absorbent cotton tip of the swab into the extraction tube on the workstation.
First open the dropper bottle with blue cap (unscrew only the blue cap and leave the white cap tightly closed) containing the extraction solution 1, dispense 6 drops into the tube and close the bottle. Then open the dropper bottle with green cap (just screw on the green cap and leave the white cap loose) containing the extraction solution 2, dispense 6 drops into the tube and close the bottle.
Hold the swab by the plastic handle and carefully rotate it against the wall of the tube (approximately 10 times) to mix the solution. Leave the swab inside the incubation tube for a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes. At the end of the incubation time, remove the tube (with the swab and liquid extracts still inside the tube) and, using your thumb and forefinger, press the walls of the tube to squeeze the cotton tip of the swab in order to collect as much liquid as possible (proceed in this way by removing the swab from the tube). Dispose of the swab in a suitable waste container and place the tube with the extracted solution in a hole in the workstation.
Open the protective aluminum pouch, hold the strip by the blue end and insert it into the tube containing the extracts. Leave it inside the tube for 5 minutes (minimum) to 10 minutes (maximum) for the reaction to occur.
Read the result immediately after the reaction time has elapsed.

Interpretation of results
POSITIVE: Two (2) red/purple lines appear on the strip. The color intensity of the lines may be different. This result is positive and means that Streptococcus A has been found in the sample and you should consult a doctor.

NEGATIVE: Only one (1) red line (control line) appears near the blue end of the strip. This result is negative and means that Streptococcus A was not found in the sample or was not present in a sufficient concentration to be detected.

INVALID: If there is no red line visible near the blue end of the strip (control line), the test is invalid.