Are you worried whether your sore throat condition is a result of strep throat? Well, healthcare professionals recommend that you go through a quick medical test to determine this. What causes strep throat? How does it spread from one person to the other? What are the symptoms? Who is at an increased risk? You will find reliable answers to these questions in this article. In this blog, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about strep throat so you can seek the proper medical attention when necessary.

For same-day sore/strep throat treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction. Our urgent care center is open seven days a week, allowing patients to stop by at their convenience– no appointment necessary.

Understanding Strep Throat

Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that affects the throat and tonsils. Caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, strep can lead to discomfort and complications if left untreated. Understanding the causes and symptoms of strep throat is essential for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It’s important to understand that not every sore throat is indicative of strep. Other conditions, like the common cold or flu, can also cause a sore throat. So, how can you tell if your sore throat is strep? Strep throat manifests with a range of symptoms that typically develop within 1 to 4 days after exposure to the bacteria.

Common signs and symptoms of strep throat include:

• Sudden onset of a severe sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Red and swollen tonsils
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• A high fever
• Headache and body aches

How Does it Spread From One Person To the Other?

The bacterium that causes strep throat is highly contagious and can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Close contact with an infected person, such as sharing utensils or drinking from the same glass, can also facilitate the transmission of strep throat.

Factors that increase the risk of contracting strep throat include:

• Close contact with an infected person, especially in crowded environments
• Weakened immune system due to illness, medications, or underlying conditions
• Poor hygiene practices, such as not washing hands regularly
• Seasonal fluctuations, with higher incidence rates observed during colder months

When To Seek Medical Attention

If you fall into the category of persons who are at increased risk of contracting strep throat, and you are showing symptoms such as headache, pain, fever, painful swallowing, and swollen tonsils, you should seek urgent medical care for a physical examination. The physical examination will include:

Rapid Strep Test: This involves swabbing the throat and running a test on the swab. This test would tell you quickly if strep A bacteria is the cause of your illness.

Throat Culture: This test goes to show whether strep A bacteria is growing from the swab. This test will find infected parts in the swab which a rapid strep test misses.

As mentioned, not all sore throats are caused by strep throat. Viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, can also cause sore throat symptoms but are typically accompanied by additional respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or nasal congestion. It’s best to consult a healthcare provider for a full diagnosis and treatment plan in order to recover properly.

Get Walk-In Strep Throat Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction

Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection that causes a range of symptoms. Prompt recognition of strep throat symptoms is crucial for proper treatment, which can help shorten the duration of symptoms, reduce the risk of complications, and prevent the spread of infection to others. If you suspect that you or a loved one has strep throat, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction for testing and treatment. Don’t ignore your symptoms– come visit our urgent care center today for sore/strep throat treatment! We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for those without. If you have additional questions about the sore/strep throat treatment, or other services we provide, please call to speak with us directly at (970) 609-2001.