Sore throats can have you dreading simple activities like sipping water, eating, or even talking.
We understand how important it is to feel better fast.
We’re here to help you understand when to go to urgent care for sore throat symptoms, the difference between strep throat and the common cold, strep throat and tonsilitis, and how urgent care sore throat treatment can help alleviate your pain.
Understanding Sore Throat Symptoms
A sore throat, clinically known as pharyngitis, can cause intense, burning pain or a scratchy feeling around the tonsils and back of the throat.
Sore throat symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dryness
- Hoarseness
- Redness or inflammation around the tonsils and back of the neck
- Swollen glands in the neck
- White patches in the throat
Depending on the underlying cause, you may experience symptoms other than localized pain around the tonsils and throat, including:
- Body aches
- Coughing and sneezing
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes
If you’re experiencing throat soreness and other symptoms, it’s important to know the virus or bacteria responsible, to get the right treatment.
Differentiating Between Strep Throat and Common Cold
Strep throat and common cold symptoms often overlap, but understanding their differences can help you tell them apart.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the differences between strep throat and a cold:
- How they start
Strep throat often starts suddenly and severely, whereas colds develop more gradually. - How they progress
Strep throat often leads to higher fevers and more severe throat pain than a common cold. - How you feel
With strep throat, you may experience severe throat pain, headaches, swollen tonsils with white patches, and tender lymph nodes. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen. On the other hand, a cold is usually milder and gradually improves over 5-7 days without medical intervention.
Understanding these key differences can help you answer questions like, “Should I go to urgent care for sore throat treatment?” If you believe you have strep throat, visit CareWell today for prompt and accurate urgent care strep throat testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
Strep Testing Options
The skilled providers and clinical staff at CareWell specialize in the following strep testing options to accurately diagnose strep throat and initiate timely treatment:
- Rapid Strep Test (RST)
A cotton swab is used to collect a sample from the back of the throat, specifically around the tonsils. Results are available within about 10-15 minutes. This test can help quickly determine if you need medication. - Throat culture
This test also uses a cotton swab to collect a sample from the back of the throat. However, it is then cultured in our onsite lab for 1-3 days, allowing the bacteria to grow. This test is often recommended when the RST is negative, but your symptoms strongly suggest strep throat.
The Difference Between Strep and Tonsillitis
It can be challenging to tell the difference between strep throat and tonsilitis without proper testing and medical evaluation because both conditions cause inflammation of the throat and tonsils.
Understanding their key differences can help you get the right urgent care throat pain treatment to manage symptoms and prevent potential complications:
- How they start
Both conditions begin with throat pain, but strep throat is often more sudden and intense. - How they progress
Strep throat worsens rapidly if left untreated, whereas tonsilitis develops gradually over a few days. - How you feel
With strep throat, you may experience severe throat pain, headaches, high fever, swollen tonsils with white patches, and tender lymph nodes. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen. Tonsilitis presents similarly, though symptoms are often less severe.
If you think you have strep throat or tonsilitis, visit an urgent care center right away for proper diagnosis and treatment and to prevent complications like rheumatic fever.
Urgent Care: Sore Throat Treatment at CareWell
Experience exceptional urgent care sore throat treatment at CareWell.
Our dedicated providers are always within reach, ready to perform thorough exams and rapid strep tests to diagnose and treat your discomfort promptly.
Walk-ins are always welcome, making CareWell a community-centered choice for urgent care sore throat needs.
Visit your nearest location today, or save your spot in line to minimize your wait time.
Massachusetts, you can also opt for a convenient telemedicine visit[SR1] with one of our experienced providers!
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