Where do I get the test from?

The scarlet fever test is usually available at the pharmacy. You do not need a prescription to buy the test. The Scarlet Scarlet Test is also available on the Internet.

However, depending on the provider, one should exercise caution here. After all, you cannot rely on everything that is offered and sold on the Internet. Instead, one should rather choose the route to the nearest pharmacy. This is usually faster than ordering online, and pharmacies are only allowed to sell tested and approved tests.

What does it cost?

Online, the scarlet fever test is available for fifteen to twenty euros. A package with ten test strips is usually offered. One can also buy “used”, i.e. already opened packages, where only a part of the test has already been used.

These tests are correspondingly cheaper, but also less reliable. Also in the pharmacy a test package with ten samples costs about fifteen to twenty euro. Both online and in the pharmacy, larger (usually twenty pieces) and smaller (usually five pieces) packages are also available.

If you buy the test yourself, whether online or in the pharmacy, the health insurance company usually does not cover the costs. Due to the low price the assumption would hardly be worthwhile itself besides, since with such tests a minimum self participation of five euro would be void. If the test is carried out by the pediatrician (or in the case of adults by the family doctor), the pediatrician bills the test normally via his practice system. Since the test in this case has been classified by a doctor as medically useful and necessary, it is covered by the health insurance company.

Implementation

There are different models for the scarlet fever test, but they all work on the same basic principle. First, everything should be carefully prepared. The test often consists of a rod, which is initially wrapped in sterile packaging.

In addition, a liquid is required in which the rod is to be immersed after the smear test. For some tests, this liquid must be mixed together from several components. In this case, the package insert contains specific quantities.

The test liquid should be mixed according to these instructions. Then place it in such a way that it can be easily reached with the test swab and at the same time cannot be knocked over during the test. While in some tests the liquid will discolor in a positive smear, in other tests the swab or liquid must be added to another test medium.

This should also be available.The throat swab is now taken with the freshly unpacked swab. It is important that deep parts of the throat are also reached. In the case of conspicuous tonsils, a smear should also be taken from there.

Afterwards, the swab must be placed in the liquid for a few minutes (please refer to the package insert for the exact time). If necessary, add some liquid or the stick itself to the test strip. The test result can be read after a few minutes (see package insert for exact times).