Having a sore throat is a common illness symptom that can be caused by many different conditions. However, severe sore throats often point to strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes a severe sore throat. Because strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection, it usually requires treatment by a medical professional to clear the infection. If you’re experiencing a sore throat, learn more about how to tell whether your symptoms align with strep throat symptoms and whether you can pass your infection to others.
If you’re in need of rapid strep throat diagnosis and treatment, look no further than AFC Urgent Care Braintree. Our team of dedicated medical providers are all board-certified and trained to identify the early symptoms of strep throat so that you can prevent your symptoms from worsening. We offer our strep throat diagnosis and treatment on a walk-in basis for patients in Braintree, Waymouth & Randolph, MA. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you, or schedule an appointment online.
Common Strep Throat Symptoms
Strep throat is a very common infection. It is caused by bacteria which can lead to a variety of different symptoms, including a severe sore throat. The early stages of strep throat tend to include mild illness symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose at first. Visiting urgent care and seeking a diagnosis will ensure that you are able to begin treatment before symptoms become severe. Strep throat symptoms can last up to 10 days, however, with proper treatment, it can resolve as quickly as 3 days after symptoms begin.
Common strep throat symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Trouble swallowing
- Swollen neck
- Tender and swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen & painful tonsils
Can You Spread Strep Throat to Others?
Like many common illnesses, strep throat is contagious to others. It is important that you identify potential strep throat symptoms early so that you can get tested and isolate yourself until you have been treated if you do have the infection. Although strep throat is very treatable, it can still cause you to miss out on day-to-day tasks until you’re better.
Someone who is infected with strep throat bacteria can spread their infection to others through direct contact with them. Sharing food and drinks is also a common way that strep throat is spread. Strep throat can resolve on its own in most cases, however, treating strep throat will promote a much faster recovery and ensure that you are not contagious to others much quicker than letting the infection resolve on its own.
Walk-In Strep Throat Diagnosis in Braintree, MA
If you think you may be experiencing any symptoms described above, it is important that you seek medical care for strep throat diagnosis and treatment. Strep throat can be difficult to diagnose because a sore throat is a common symptom of many other illnesses including common colds and allergies. However, strep throat is extremely contagious making it important to seek treatment to reduce the chances of passing your infection to others.
When you visit urgent care for strep throat diagnosis and treatment, your medical provider will review your symptoms with you. They may feel around your neck to check for swollen lymph nodes and tenderness. They also will look at your throat and tonsils to look for signs of an infection. Strep throat can easily be tested at the time of your visit by having your healthcare provider swab the back of your throat to test for the presence of bacteria. Based on the results, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics and recommend at-home care instructions to reduce discomfort.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Braintree for Rapid Strep Throat Diagnosis & Treatment in Braintree, MA
If you’re suffering from a sore throat, you could have strep throat. At AFC Urgent Care Braintree, our board-certified medical professionals are trained to accurately diagnose the early stages of strep throat so that you can begin treatment before your symptoms worsen. Our clinic has a laboratory on-site, allowing us to perform strep tests on-site at the time of your visit with rapid results. We accept most medical insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicare. We also offer affordable care for self-paying patients. Walk into the clinic today, or schedule an appointment online for rapid strep throat treatment!
