Antistreptolysin O Titer

Elevated ASO levels might mean that your body has been dealing with an infection caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, which are responsible for common illnesses like strep throat or scarlet fever. Sometimes, these higher levels can stick around for a few months even after the infection is gone. Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, could also have an impact on your ASO levels. Another possibility is that your immune system is mistakenly attacking your own body, which can happen in conditions like rheumatic fever, often seen after a strep infection.

Symptoms of high levels of ASO could include sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, red rash, and fatigue. In more severe cases, such as rheumatic fever, symptoms could also include joint pain, shortness of breath, and uncontrolled body movements.

A low ASO level might mean that your body hasn't recently dealt with an infection from group A streptococcus bacteria. This could be because your immune system is doing a great job at keeping these infections away, or maybe you just haven't come across these bacteria lately. Taking certain medications, like antibiotics, could also cause lower ASO levels by getting rid of the bacteria before your immune system has to work hard to fight them off. It's also possible that your body doesn't react to these bacteria in the usual way, which could be influenced by things like your age, overall health, and even your genes.

Symptoms of low levels of ASO are typically non-existent, as this simply reflects a lack of recent exposure to or infection by group A streptococcus bacteria.