Exer Urgent Care offers diagnostic tests that can detect strep throat or mononucleosis:
- Strep Throat Testing
- Mono Testing
What is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is a painful and uncomfortable – not to mention contagious – bacterial infection that affects the throat and tonsils. It is caused by Group A streptococcus bacteria and can be easily treated within a week through antibiotics. However, if left unaddressed, the patient can suffer severe complications including scarlet fever, kidney inflammation, and rheumatic fever.
Strep Throat Symptoms
Strep throat symptoms are relatively mild in the beginning:
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen and red tonsils
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
But if left unchecked, you may experience the following, more serious strep throat symptoms:
- A fever exceeding 101F
- Pain lasting longer than 48 hours
- Difficulty swallowing
- Breathing problems
- Spots in the back of the throat
- Discolored urine
- Rash
- Joint pain
If you or your child is displaying any of the above strep throat symptoms, it’s important to see a medical professional quickly. At Exer Urgent Care, they can conduct swab tests to check for strep.
Strep Throat Testing
Exer Urgent Care doctors and medical professionals are able to conduct two different tests when strep throat is suspected. The most common test is the rapid strep test that will be run in-house and provide results within 10 minutes. We will use a cotton swab to collect a sample from your tonsils or throat.
If further diagnostic testing is necessary, our doctors and medical team are also able to collect samples and send them to the lab to be tested for the streptococcus bacteria.
While some of the strep throat symptoms are distinctive, a test is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Once the doctors are 100% sure it’s strep throat, they will begin a treatment that usually involves antibiotics.
What is Mono?
Mononucleosis (Mono) is a viral infection that predominantly affects teens and children. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Unfortunately, it has no permanent cure as of yet; mono can only be treated with plenty of rest, nutrition, and fluids. Most patients recover fully within a few weeks.
Mono Symptoms
That said, you need to watch out for mono symptoms because complications can arise in some cases. Mono has an incubation period of 4 to 6 weeks. Once the virus starts to spread throughout the body, you can experience the following mono symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Swollen tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen spleen
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Fatigue
- Malaise
Sometimes mono can result in more severe complications such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, heart problems, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. This is why you must seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one experiences any of the following:
- Trouble swallowing
- Breathing issues
- Stomach ache
- Bleeding from the gums
- Seizures
- Severe headaches
- Jaundice
- Chest pain
- Dehydration
- Severe weakness in hands or feet
Mono Testing
While there is no treatment for mono, the Exer Urgent Care team can diagnose the illness by testing for heterophile antibodies. This information will help guide treatment for any uncomfortable or potentially dangerous mono symptoms associated with the infection.
Mono testing is conducted via blood samples. Your provider will either take a larger sample from a vein or a single drop from your fingertip. It should be noted that mono can spread rapidly in groups of teens or children. So, it’s essential to test patients who are exhibiting mono symptoms, so measures can be taken to isolate the infected individual.
Strep and Mono Testing: Get Results and Treatment Within 24 Hours
If you or your child has fallen ill, you want to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible. At Exer Urgent Care, you can count on us for strep throat and mono testing and treatment. Just walk into one of our clinics and will test and treat you right away – no appointment is necessary.
