Do I Have to See a Doctor In-Person to Confirm Strep Throat?

As 2022 begins, the world of immediate healthcare continues to face challenges that are unlike anything before experienced by the medical community. What’s more, between COVID-19 precautions and the stress of families as they navigate the murky waters of potential exposure everywhere, there’s a lot weighing on the minds of parents. Thankfully, there have been technological advances and other changes made by healthcare providers to combat these some of these challenges

At The Urgency Room, we provide medical care for a wide range of symptoms and conditions -both in-person and online. There are a number of symptoms or concerns that you or your child may experience that may not require you to come into one of our facilities. Thanks to telehealth services and our experienced clinicians, we’re able to best serve patients in a variety of ways.

Strep throat is just one of the infections clinicians can evaluate online. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and signs of strep throat and find additional information about online care at The Urgency Room. 

Does My Child Have Strep Throat or Just a Sore Throat?

Especially during colder months, it’s easy to assume that your child has strep throat when they’re complaining about a sore throat. Strep throat is most common during winter and early spring and most commonly affects children. However, there are some differences between a  bacterial infection and the traditional sore throat.

Signs of Strep Throat

Signs of a strep throat infection (other than a sore throat) typically include:

• Red and swollen tonsils
• White streaks or blotches (not always the case)
• Headache
• Vomiting or nausea
• Body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Also, note that sometimes people with strep throat show no signs or symptoms and may pass the infection on without knowing.

Other Potential Causes of a Sore Throat

There are many causes of sore throat that are not bacterial infections. Allergies, acid reflux, and simply dry air and irritation can cause sore throat. It can also be caused by viral infections (strep throat is a bacterial infection, not a viral infection). Viral infections, in fact, are the most common cause of sore throats. 

It can be difficult to tell if you have a bacterial or viral infection without a strep test. The providers at The Urgency Room can see you online, assess your concerns and take a look at your throat. Once your video visit is complete, you will be instructed to visit The Urgency Room of your choice for the test only - we’ll be waiting for you. 

No need to wait for a doctor or a room, you will conduct a quick swab with the help of our staff and you are free to go. Your results will be available in our patient portal as soon as they are ready. If your provider determines antibiotics are necessary, we will call you in a prescription right away. It’s that easy. 

Tips for Easing Sore Throat Pain

We strongly recommend you seek medical care prior to exhausting efforts on sore throat pain relief, as the best way to combat sore throat pain is with physician recommended remedies – which they will provide for your (or your child’s) individual circumstance.

Common at-home remedies for a sore throat include:

• Pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Soup or broth
• Warm lemon tea
• Over-the-counter throat sprays
• Gargling saltwater for swelling reduction

If you’re going to give your child a dose of children’s pain medication, be sure you’re not mixing or overusing medications. You should follow the instructions on the bottle and consult your physician about the correct dosage and medication type.

Can I use online care for other ailments or concerns?

Absolutely. Online care is a great way to treat some of those minor concerns or illnesses. Online care is available at The Urgency Room from 8am to 8pm, daily. We recommend considering online care for any of the following:

• Congestion
• Sinusitis
• Strep Throat
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Stable COVID concerns 
• Eye Irritation or Infections 
• Cough

Covering All Your Medical Needs 

The Urgency Room is proud to offer thorough medical care from board-certified emergency physicians and emergency-trained staff with years of experience. Whether you or your child are experiencing strep throat symptoms or you need an examination following an accident, we’re ready to evaluate and treat you at a moment’s notice. Consider The Urgency Room for online or in-person care. We’ve got you covered.

The Urgency Room is open 365 days a year. Online from 8am to 8pm and in-person from 8am to 9pm.

Our clinics are located in Eagan, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury. Check out our wait times at a location near you. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your closest hospital emergency room.