Although the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends that children who seem to have viral illness not be tested for group A Streptococcal pharyngitis, a recent analysis suggests there may be some justification for performing the test. The analysis, which studied children between ages 3 and 21 years, reached the following conclusions:

• 63% of patients presented with at least 1 viral sign or symptom.
• Using rapid antigen detection testing, group A Streptococcal pharyngitis was found in 42% of patients without viral features and 29% of those with them.
• Based on these data, researchers concluded that judicious use of rapid antigen detection testing for group A Streptococcal pharyngitis should remain an option for clinicians.