Rapid Strep Testing in Ormond Beach, FL
Strep throat can feel like a raw, scratchy, or sore throat that is particularly painful when swallowing. However, unlike a sore throat caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu, strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection that may not go away on its own. In many cases, strep requires antibiotic treatment to relieve the symptoms and prevent complications, such as an ear infection or kidney inflammation.
Only an experienced healthcare professional can diagnose strep throat, which is most common in children but can affect people of all ages. At Halifax Health ExpressCare in Ormond Beach, Florida, our licensed medical providers can perform rapid strep testing on-site and have your result—and treatment plan—ready within minutes.
What Are the Hallmark Signs of Strep Throat?
Strep symptoms often develop suddenly and may be more severe than those of a viral sore throat. Along with throat pain and difficulty swallowing, a strep infection can cause:
- Inflamed tonsils
- Tiny red spots at the back of your mouth
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes in your neck
- Fever, chills, and body aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
When Is Rapid Strep Testing Used?
Because a common sore throat and strep throat usually require different treatments, a provider at Halifax Health ExpressCare may perform rapid strep testing to confirm the cause of your symptoms before suggesting a strategy to help you feel better. To perform this test, your provider will gently swab the back of your throat, then test the swab in our on-site clinical lab for evidence of strep antigens. If you were exposed to the strep bacteria, your body’s immune system may have produced these special proteins to help fight off the infection. A positive rapid strep test means that you have strep throat.
How Is Strep Throat Treated?
Based on an evaluation of your symptoms and the outcome of your rapid strep testing, we can confirm your diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. If you have strep throat, we may prescribe an antibiotic medication to help destroy the bacteria that are causing your infection. In addition to taking your medication exactly as prescribed, you may benefit from resting comfortably at home, drinking plenty of water to keep your throat moist, gargling with warm salt water to ease your throat pain, and eating cool, soft foods to avoid irritating your throat.
If you have a sore throat and would like to receive rapid strep testing, visit Halifax Health ExpressCare in Ormond Beach, FL, today. Our team is available to provide non-emergency urgent care every day during extended hours.
