Strep throat can affect children and adults alike. It is an infection that is caused by the streptococcal bacteria, and if left untreated by antibiotics it can lead to infections in other areas of the body, or even rheumatic fever. Once a course of antibiotics is begun the patient feels better quickly, and after 24 hours they are no longer contagious.
Strep throat’s symptoms include pain while swallowing and a red, sore throat, and are similar to those of many viruses. Strep can also cause white spots on the throat or tonsils, fever and swollen lymph nodes. The best way of determining whether you have strep is to have a rapid strep test or throat culture taken, and you can have that test done quickly and conveniently at the FastMed Urgent Care in Gilbert, Arizona. The medical team can tell you within ten minutes whether you have strep or not, and can prescribe antibiotics as well.