If you or your child has a bad sore throat, you may wonder if it is a strep infection. Sadly, if this happens on the weekend, you cannot access your pediatrician for a strep test. Luckily, our urgent care center in Rochester, NY, offers an accurate urgent care rapid strep test.
Here is more on strep throat and how to prepare for a rapid strep test at an urgent care center.
What Is Strep Throat and How Is It Treated?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection. It is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and is spread through respiratory droplets.
Children seem most prone to strep throat infection. However, it can affect adults and seniors as well.
This infection can cause significant discomfort. If left untreated, strep throat can lead to serious complications such as scarlet fever, joint inflammation and kidney problems.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
Strep throat may include some or all of the following symptoms:
- Severe sore throat
- Discomfort when swallowing
- Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks containing pus
- Red spots on the roof of the mouth and back of the throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Fever
- Rash
Treatment for Strep Throat
Strep throat responds well to treatment with oral antibiotics. These drugs – typically amoxicillin – reduce how long symptoms last and prevent complications. They also shorten how long the patient is contagious – that is, able to spread the bacteria to others.
Along with oral antibiotics, patients should rest and manage pain and fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Most people recover well within three to five days.
What Is a Rapid Strep Test?
A rapid strep test is quick and easy on the patient. It determines if a sore throat is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. The test is highly valued in urgent care settings because it provides results in a matter of minutes, allowing for prompt treatment.
How to Prepare for a Strep Test at an Urgent Care
Preparing for a rapid strep test is very simple and involves just a few steps.
List Your Symptoms
Before heading to an urgent care center, take note of all your symptoms. Be sure to tell the urgent care physician about when they started and how severe they are. Mention any associated symptoms such as fever or rash.
Avoid Mouthwash
On the day of the test, avoid using mouthwash or any antiseptic solutions in your mouth. They may affect the rapid strep test results.
Stay Hydrated
Drink water to keep your throat moist. However, avoid eating or drinking anything that can irritate your throat before the test. For instance, do not drink orange juice or eat anything which is overly spicy.
Bring Your Insurance Card and Photo ID
If you have health insurance, be sure to bring your card to the urgent care center. Check with your health insurance carrier to understand your coverage and whether you may be responsible for out-of-pocket co-pays. Bring a photo ID, too.
Your Provider Will Examine You
Your physician will take your vital signs, ask about your symptoms and inspect the back of your throat with a flashlight. The provider also will feel the sides of your neck to assess for lymph node swelling.
What Happens During a Rapid Strep Test?
Your provider will use a special swab to collect a saliva sample from the back of your throat. This process is quick and painless, but some people gag a little. Your sample is then analyzed in the on-site lab.
When Are Results Ready?
One of the best benefits of the rapid strep test is how quickly results are available. Typically, you can expect the results within 15 minutes.
If the rapid test is positive for strep bacteria, immediate treatment with antibiotics can begin. If the rapid test is negative, but strep throat is still suspected, you may need a follow-up throat culture within a few days.
Urgent Care Rapid Strep Test in Rochester, NY
If you suspect you have strep throat, don’t hesitate to visit Cornerstone Urgent Care Center in Rochester, NY. Our friendly providers will see you quickly, assess your symptoms and perform a rapid strep test, if needed.
At Cornerstone Urgent Care Center, we understand that illnesses and injuries can occur suddenly and at inconvenient times. So, we offer a broad range of diagnostic and treatment services seven days a week. We are open Monday through Friday 8 am to 8 pm and on Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 7 pm.
To learn more, call (585) 207-0088. You never need an appointment, but you can use our convenient online check-in to let us know you are coming.
