Pneumococcal Disease Tests
Reviewed
Also called: Streptococcus pneumoniae test, S. pneumoniae test, Pneumococcal culture, Pneumococcal antigen test, Pneumococcal PCR test
Pneumococcal disease tests are used to find out whether you have pneumococcal disease.
Specimen: Blood, urine, sputum, nasopharyngeal swab, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Urgent safety information
Call your provider if you think that you or your child could have a serious pneumococcal infection. Severe infections can lead to sepsis or long-term health problems.
Why this test may be ordered
- To find out whether you have pneumococcal disease
- Symptoms of pneumonia, meningitis, or a bloodstream infection
- To help choose which antibiotic will work best
Preparation and collection
For most pneumococcal disease tests, you don't need any special preparation. Talk to your provider and ask about any special preparations. You may need to fast (not eat or drink) before the test. You may also need to stop taking certain medicines, so be sure to tell your provider about everything you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
Depending on your symptoms, your provider may want a sample of certain body fluids. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. There is no risk to providing a urine or sputum sample. A nasopharyngeal swab may be uncomfortable and cause coughing or gagging.
Understanding results
The results will show whether you have pneumococcal disease.
- Positive: A positive result means that pneumococcus bacteria were found in your specimen. You most likely have pneumococcal disease. Limitation: If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider. They will consider your symptoms and medical history to understand the results of your pneumococcal disease test. Next step: Pneumococcal disease may be treated with antibiotics, fluids, pain relievers, and rest. But don't give aspirin to children, because it may cause Reye syndrome. This is a rare, serious illness that can affect the brain and liver.
- Negative: A negative result means that no pneumococcus bacteria were found in your specimen. Limitation: Most likely, your symptoms are not caused by pneumococcal disease. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- The type of test depends on your symptoms and where the infection is.
- Mild ear or sinus infections are often diagnosed without testing.
- Your provider may need other tests to make a diagnosis.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider. They will consider your symptoms and medical history to understand the results of your pneumococcal disease test. Pneumococcal disease may be treated with antibiotics, fluids, pain relievers, and rest. But don't give aspirin to children, because it may cause Reye syndrome.
- Which sample do you need from me and why?
- Will I need antibiotics?
- Should I or my child get a pneumococcal vaccine?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Pneumococcal Disease Tests