Rapid Strep Testing in Tampa, FL

Woman clutching her painful throat

Does your throat feel like it’s on fire? Does the pain intensify whenever you swallow? An exceptionally bad sore throat could be a sign of strep throat, a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus. This contagious and painful condition can be quickly diagnosed with a rapid strep test, which involves a relatively simple throat swab.

If you need help dealing with a sore throat, come to South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, Florida. If necessary, we can administer a rapid strep test, process your sample in our on-site lab, and have your result ready within minutes—along with a strategy to help you feel better.

Other Signs of Strep Throat

In addition to severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing, a strep infection can cause:

  • Swollen tonsils
  • Bad breath
  • Tiny red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
  • Fever, chills, and body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting

Compared to the symptoms of a sore throat caused by a virus, such as the common cold or flu, the symptoms of a sore throat caused by strep bacteria tend to be more severe and develop much more quickly.

Why Is Rapid Strep Testing Important?

Because viral and bacterial infections require different treatment approaches, it’s important to know the difference. A rapid strep test is a fast and effective way to confirm or rule out a strep diagnosis. Although a throat culture can also be used for this purpose, this type of test has a drawback. Usually, it takes two to three days for the strep bacteria to multiply enough to be detected in a throat culture. During that time, the infection is highly contagious.

How Is Strep Throat Treated?

If you are diagnosed with strep throat, we may prescribe a course of antibiotics to help destroy the strep bacteria and prevent complications, such as rheumatic fever. Additionally, you should rest comfortably at home, drink plenty of water, and eat soft foods to avoid irritating your throat.

If you have questions or would like to see a doctor for a rapid strep test or sore throat treatment, please contact or visit South Tampa Immediate Care. Our walk-in clinic is conveniently located at 602 South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL.