A severe sore throat can indicate of strep throat. A quick strep test at the urgent care offices of PrimeCare Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, can quickly identify the infection so you get antibiotics quick and relief from the knifelike pain and fever. If you suspect you or a loved one has strep throat, call the office or book an immediate appointment online.
Strep throat is unique in that it results from a bacteria, A streptococcus. Most sore throats, such as those associated with the flu, are caused by a virus.
Strep throat is very contagious. You might contract it if you:
Being around a person with strep who is sneezing and coughing can cause you to get sick, too.
Strep throat is easily cured but can cause painful symptoms. These include:
You could also experience headache and nausea along with strep. Suspect strep if your sore throat comes on without coughing or a runny nose.
Children tend to get strep throat more often than adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that three in 10 children with a sore throat have strep, while only one in 10 adults do. Parents of small children, and adults who work in child care settings or schools are more susceptible than the average adult. Strep can also spread readily throughout a household.
A rapid strep test, or throat culture, is used to diagnose strep throat. During a rapid strep test, your throat is swabbed and a quick test shows whether there is evidence of the strep bacteria.
If you have a positive test, you are prescribed antibiotics right away. If the doctors at PrimeCare Medical Center still suspect strep but your rapid test was negative, they can take a culture swab and allow the culture to grow for a few days to see if strep develops.
If you have a sudden and severe sore throat, don’t just hope it goes away. Call the office or book an appointment online today.
