Bad Sore Throat? Get Answers With Rapid Strep Testing in Daytona Beach Shores, FL
Sore throats are common, especially during the winter when cold weather keeps people indoors, usually in close quarters with others. Because enclosed spaces have limited air circulation and ventilation, the common cold and other respiratory viruses can easily spread. Viral illnesses are often accompanied by a sore throat, which will typically resolve on its own with some rest and self-care. However, a sore throat is also a symptom of a more serious bacterial infection known as strep, which may require prescription antibiotic treatment.
Although strep throat has some telltale warning signs, it can still be challenging to distinguish it from a viral sore throat without the help of an experienced medical professional. Come to Halifax Health ExpressCare in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, where you can benefit from prompt medical attention and, if necessary, rapid strep testing.
The Warning Signs of Strep Throat
In addition to severe throat pain—especially when swallowing—a strep infection may cause:
- Fever, chills, and body aches
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen tonsils
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Tiny red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth
Usually, the symptoms of strep throat are more severe than those of a typical sore throat, and they also tend to develop more rapidly.
The Important Role of Rapid Strep Testing
While strep throat might feel like a cold-related sore throat, the distinction is vital to ensure appropriate treatment and help prevent complications, such as kidney inflammation. A rapid strep test is a simple, in-office procedure that can quickly detect antigens created by the body’s immune system to fight the bacteria that cause strep.
At Halifax Health ExpressCare, rapid strep testing involves gently swabbing the back of the throat to collect a small sample of secretions. The sample is then analyzed in our on-site clinical lab, and the results are usually available within approximately 15 minutes.
Guiding Your Path to Recovery
Your provider at Halifax Health ExpressCare can create a personalized treatment plan to help you recover from your sore throat. In general, you should rest comfortably at home, stay well-hydrated, gargle with warm salt water, and eat cool, soft foods to avoid irritating your throat. If we perform rapid strep testing and confirm that you have strep throat, we may prescribe a course of antibiotics to destroy the bacteria and resolve the infection.
To learn more about rapid strep testing or sore throat treatment, contact or visit the Halifax Health ExpressCare walk-in clinic in Daytona Beach Shores, FL, today.
