 Rapid Antigen Detection Tests RADTs have been developed for the identification of GABHS directly from throat swabs. Although these rapid tests are more expensive than blood agar culture, they provide results faster. Rapid identification and treatment of patients with streptococcal pharyngitis can reduce the risk of the spread of group A b-hemolytic streptococci, allowing the patient to return to school or work sooner, and can reduce the acute morbidity associated with the illness. The use of RADTs for certain populations e.g., patients in emergency departments has been shown to significantly increase the number of patients who are appropriately treated for streptococcal pharyngitis, compared with use of traditional throat cultures.7 