Strep Throat Season: How to Spot Symptoms and Get Treated Quickly

The month of December marks the peak of the holiday season and, unfortunately, the beginning of strep throat season. 

Many different viral infections can cause a sore and scratchy throat, including the flu and common cold. However, strep throat is an illness that’s in an entirely different category. It’s a bacterial infection that always requires professional treatment.

Because strep throat can lead to serious health complications if not dealt with promptly, our urgent care team at San Feliz Urgent Care in Glendale, California, wants you to be able to quickly recognize the signs and symptoms of this infection so you can get prompt and effective treatment. 

This month’s blog reviews what you need to know about strep throat so you can avoid letting it affect the entire holiday season. 

What exactly is strep throat?

Strep throat is an infection caused by the bacteria known as group A Streptococcus. 

This infection is incredibly contagious and can be spread by coming into contact with airborne droplets or infected surfaces and then touching your eyes, ears, or mouth. Most often, strep throat affects children, but adults can certainly develop it, too. 

When you contract this bacterial infection, it triggers inflammation in your throat and tonsils, causing them to become very red, swollen, and sore. 

Strep throat symptoms 

After initially developing strep throat, you may think that you have a cold, the flu, or seasonal allergies. However, as the infection continues, several symptoms set it apart from these other ailments, including:

• Red throat
• Swollen glands
• Rash on your chest and neck
• White patches on your tonsils
• Sudden high fever
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting

The best indicator of strep throat is actually a lack of upper respiratory symptoms. When you have strep throat, you won’t deal with sneezing, a runny nose, or postnasal drip. 

Strep throat diagnosis and treatment

It’s incredibly important to seek treatment for strep throat when you recognize its symptoms. If strep throat is left untreated, the infection can spread and lead to ear infections, rheumatic fever, or kidney inflammation. 

When you visit our San Feliz Urgent Care office, our team tests you for strep throat with a throat swab. A rapid test is done first; however, if this comes back negative, we perform a culture test that takes 1-2 days to provide results. 

After confirming or ruling out strep throat, our team creates a treatment plan. If our tests indicate that you have strep throat, our team prescribes antibiotics that help your body fight off the infection. 

While you need to take the antibiotics for the full prescribed time, you should start to feel better within 48 hours of starting treatment.

For quick and expert-level strep throat diagnosis and treatment, look no further than our San Feliz Urgent Care team. Schedule an urgent care appointment by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.