Schedule Now

Strep Throat,
Treated Fast

A sore throat that came on fast with fever and painful swallowing? Strep throat is a bacterial infection that a quick test can confirm, and it’s treated with antibiotics. Get same-day, ENT-focused strep testing and care, in person or by video.

Book Now
Call Now
Virtual ENT Options

What Is a Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a throat infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Unlike most sore throats, which are viral, strep is bacterial, which means antibiotics can treat it. It tends to come on quickly with a severe sore throat, fever, and painful swallowing, often without the cough or runny nose you’d get with a cold. A rapid strep test confirms it in minutes. Treating strep eases symptoms faster and lowers the small risk of complications like rheumatic fever.

Strep Throat Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

A sudden, severe sore throat
Pain when swallowing
Fever, often 101°F or higher
Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
Swollen, tender glands in the neck
Headache, body aches, or nausea, especially in children
Usually no cough or runny nose

A sudden sore throat with fever and painful swallowing is worth a same-day visit and a strep test.

Book Same-Day ENT Care

Schedule care right away if you have:

  • A sudden, severe sore throat with fever
  • Painful swallowing with swollen neck glands
  • White patches or pus on the tonsils
  • A sore throat after a known strep exposure
  • A sore throat that isn't improving after a few days
  • Strep that keeps coming back
Get Strep Throat Care

Same-day appointments available. Most insurance accepted.

  • Same-day appointments
  • Experienced ENT specialists
  • Virtual or in-person care
  • Insurance friendly
Book Now
Find a Location

How ENT Urgent Care helps

You can’t reliably tell strep from a viral sore throat by symptoms alone, and only strep needs antibiotics. A rapid strep test takes the guesswork out and gets you the right treatment quickly.

During your visit, your provider may examine your throat and neck, run a rapid strep test, and start treatment based on the result.

Treatment may include:

  • A rapid strep test for a fast answer
  • A throat culture when a confirmation is needed
  • A course of antibiotics when strep is confirmed
  • Comfort care like fluids, pain relief, and rest
  • Guidance on when you're no longer contagious
  • Evaluation for recurrent strep and whether tonsil care is worth discussing

Virtual or In-Person care?

Choose the care option that fits your symptoms and schedule.
Virtual ENT Care

Virtual ENT care can help review symptoms, talk through a known exposure, and decide whether you need testing.

Start Virtual ENT Care
In-Person Visit

An in-person visit is needed for the rapid strep test itself and a throat exam, since strep can't be confirmed without testing.

Find a Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Strep Throat.

Still have questions?

If you need help deciding whether virtual care is right for you, our team is here to assist.

Call for Assistance
How fast can I get tested for strep?
A rapid strep test takes just a few minutes during an in-person visit. Your provider swabs the back of the throat, and results come back while you wait. If it's positive, treatment can start the same visit. If the rapid test is negative but strep is still suspected, a throat culture may be sent to confirm.
Strep is generally contagious until you've been on antibiotics for about 24 hours and your fever is gone. Before treatment, it spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and shared food or drinks. Most people can return to school or work once they've had a full day of antibiotics and feel well enough.
Many cases would eventually clear on their own, but treating strep shortens how long you feel sick, lowers how contagious you are, and reduces the small risk of complications like rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. That's why testing and treatment are recommended rather than waiting it out.
Not on its own. Strep needs a swab test to confirm, so a virtual visit can't diagnose it. A virtual ENT visit can review your symptoms and a known exposure and help you decide to come in. The test and any antibiotics happen during an in-person visit.

Still have questions?

If you need help deciding whether virtual care is right for you, our team is here to assist.

Call for Assistance

Get Strep Throat Care Today

A sudden, painful sore throat is easier to handle once you know whether it’s strep. An ENT-focused visit tests you, confirms the cause, and starts the right treatment, often the same day you book.

Book Now
Call Now