Strep Throat

A sore throat that lasts for several days may be a warning sign of a strep throat infection. At San Feliz Urgent Care, on-site lab services can confirm an active strep infection, so you don’t have to travel elsewhere for testing. The experienced medical team also provides customized treatment plans using antibiotics to clear the infection and home remedies to soothe throat pain. Call the Glendale, California, office to schedule a diagnostic evaluation of strep throat symptoms, or book an appointment online today. 

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a contagious bacterial infection that can spread through respiratory droplets formed when coughing, sneezing, or speaking. You can also develop strep throat if you share food with an infected person or touch a contaminated surface and then your mouth.

San Feliz Urgent Care offers on-site lab services, including strep throat cultures that can confirm an active infection. The skilled medical team provides customized treatment plans to clear infections and ease uncomfortable symptoms.

When should I seek medical care for strep throat?

Untreated strep throat can lead to health complications, including ear and sinus infections, abscesses, and rheumatic fever. You should schedule diagnostic testing at San Feliz Urgent Care if you have persistent strep throat symptoms like:

• Fever
• Sore, scratchy throat
• Lymph node swelling and tenderness
• White spots on the back of your throat
• Difficulties swallowing or breathing

Testing for a strep infection involves a swab of your throat to collect a sample of fluids. The on-site lab ensures you get fast, accurate results to confirm strep throat so you can start treatment immediately.

If your rapid test is negative but you have strep symptoms, a throat culture is performed.

Your provider also performs a physical exam to assess the condition of your throat and check for additional infections in your ears or sinuses. Based on your exam and the severity of your symptoms, they create an individual care plan to help you feel better.

How is strep throat treated?

Treating strep throat involves antibiotics to clear the infection. Your San Feliz Urgent Care provider can prescribe antibiotics and other medications for symptom relief.

They can also recommend home care strategies to ease throat pain and improve swallowing. Typically, within a few days of starting antibiotics, strep throat symptoms resolve. However, take all your prescribed antibiotics to prevent a recurrence of infection.

You’re advised how long you should stay home from work or school to prevent the spread of strep throat to others. Your provider can also discuss ways to prevent infections, such as washing your hands often when you’re around other people.

Call San Feliz Urgent Care to schedule a strep throat evaluation, or book an appointment online today.