A strep test at Liberty Urgent Care is a quick and efficient way to diagnose strep throat. With immediate results available through the rapid strep test, you can start treatment promptly, relieving symptoms and avoiding complications. If you’re dealing with a persistent sore throat and wonder if it might be strep, don’t hesitate to reach out to Liberty Urgent Care.
Strep Test
Feeling soreness in your throat and wondering if it could be strep? Liberty Urgent Care can help you determine exactly what’s going on with a quick and easy strep test. Here, we’ll delve into what getting a strep test at Liberty Urgent Care entails and how it can aid your recovery.
What is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat. It’s caused by a type of bacteria known as group A Streptococcus (GAS). The infection is highly contagious and can spread through airborne droplets when a sick person coughs or sneezes.
Why Get Tested?
Strep throat can cause a variety of symptoms such as a sudden severe sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, red and swollen tonsils, and small red spots at the back of the mouth. However, not all sore throats are strep throat; viruses can cause similar symptoms. Therefore, it’s important to get a strep test to confirm whether you have this bacterial infection. Identifying strep throat can guide appropriate treatment, typically antibiotics, which can speed recovery, mitigate symptoms, and prevent complications.
The Strep Test at Liberty Urgent Care
Here is the step-by-step process of getting a strep test at Liberty Urgent Care:
Symptom Evaluation: A healthcare provider will first evaluate your symptoms and medical history to determine if a strep test is warranted.
Sample Collection: If the provider suspects strep throat, they will use a sterile swab to collect a sample from the back of your throat and tonsils.
Testing: The swab is then tested for group A Streptococcus bacteria. At Liberty Urgent Care, a rapid strep test is usually used initially, which can provide results in about 15 minutes.
Results: If the rapid strep test is positive, it’s clear that you have strep throat, and treatment can be initiated. However, if the test is negative but the provider still suspects strep throat based on your symptoms and physical examination, a throat culture may be sent to a lab for further testing, which takes longer but is more accurate.
After the Strep Test
If your strep test is positive, your healthcare provider will typically prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. It’s important to take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start feeling better before you’ve finished the medication.
Remember to practice good hygiene like washing hands regularly and avoiding close contact with others to prevent spreading the infection.