Rapid Strep Testing
Know if Your Sore Throat Needs Antibiotics
Family First Urgent Care provides rapid strep testing to quickly diagnose strep throat and start treatment when needed.
When you wake up with a painful throat, difficulty swallowing, and swollen glands, you may wonder whether you have strep throat or a viral infection. Family First Urgent Care uses a rapid strep test that detects the bacteria responsible for strep throat and provides results in about 10 minutes.
The test involves a quick swab of the back of your throat. If the test is positive, your provider will prescribe antibiotics, which help reduce symptoms, shorten the duration of illness, and prevent complications such as rheumatic fever. If the test is negative, your sore throat is likely caused by a virus, and treatment focuses on symptom relief rather than antibiotics.
If you or your child has a severe sore throat with fever, reach out to Family First Urgent Care to schedule a rapid strep test and get clarity on the cause.
What Happens During and After the Test
During the test, a provider or nurse uses a sterile swab to collect a sample from the back of your throat and tonsils. The swab is then placed in a test solution that detects the presence of group A Streptococcus bacteria. Results are available in about 10 minutes, and your provider will review them with you immediately.
If the test is positive, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, usually penicillin or amoxicillin. You should start feeling better within 24 to 48 hours of starting the medication. If the test is negative, your provider may recommend throat lozenges, pain relievers, and plenty of fluids while your body fights off the viral infection.
Rapid strep tests are highly accurate for positive results, but false negatives can occur. If your symptoms are severe and the rapid test is negative, your provider may send a throat culture to a lab for confirmation. This culture takes one to two days but provides a definitive answer.
We hear these questions often from patients
Patients seeking strep testing usually want to know how the test is done, how accurate it is, and what treatment looks like if the result is positive.
How is the rapid strep test performed?
A provider uses a sterile swab to collect a sample from the back of your throat and tonsils. The swab is placed in a test solution, and results are ready in about 10 minutes. The swabbing may cause brief gagging but is not painful.
What if the test is positive?
If you test positive for strep throat, your provider will prescribe antibiotics. You should start feeling better within one to two days of starting the medication. It is important to complete the full course even if you feel better sooner.
What if the test is negative?
A negative result means your sore throat is likely caused by a virus, which does not respond to antibiotics. Your provider will recommend rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relief to manage symptoms until the infection clears on its own.
How accurate is the rapid strep test?
Rapid strep tests are very accurate for positive results. False negatives can occur, so if your symptoms are severe and the test is negative, your provider may order a throat culture for confirmation.
When should I come in for testing?
You should get tested if you have a severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes, or white patches on your tonsils. Early testing allows you to start antibiotics sooner if strep is present.
Family First Urgent Care offers rapid strep testing with same-visit results and immediate treatment, so you can stop guessing and start recovering. Contact us to schedule your test or ask questions about your symptoms.