 A positive throat culture or RADT in association with symptoms establishes a positive diagnosis in those in which the diagnosis is in doubt . In adults , a negative RADT is sufficient to rule out the diagnosis . However , in children a throat culture is recommended to confirm the result . Asymptomatic individuals should not be routinely tested with a throat culture or RADT because a certain percentage of the population persistently " carries " the streptococcal bacteria in their throat without any harmful results . 
