When patients from in and around the Bronx, New York, area suffer from sore throats, including strep throat, the doctors and staff at Bronx Urgent Care offer prompt diagnosis and treatment to help patients of all ages get back to school, work, and normal activities as quickly as possible. While strep throat is common and uncomfortable, it is easily treated once diagnosed.
Strep throat is an illness caused by bacteria from the family streptococcus, group A. Strep throat is characterized by swelling in the throat and patches of white on the tonsils. When you have strep, your sore throat will come on quickly, feel raw, and it will hurt to swallow. You will probably have a fever and may also experience symptoms like:
If you or your child comes down with these symptoms, come in for a strep test and appropriate treatment. Strep is very contagious and can be spread through airborne droplets of saliva or mucus. Your health care provider will take your temperature, look at your throat, and possibly take a small sample from your throat to test for the bacteria.
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. You should stay at home and rest for at least 24 hours following diagnosis and beginning the course of drugs. You can go back to work or your child can go back to school after:
If your sore throat is not due to the streptococcus bacteria, it is most likely linked to a virus. Viruses cause colds with all of the associated symptoms including a sore throat. While it may be tempting to go to the doctor to request antibiotics, if your illness is caused by a virus, the best thing you can do is:
If your illness does not subside in a few days, you may want to see a doctor, but in most cases, rest is the best medicine.
Another common cause of sore throats is allergies. When you get stuffed up and have watery, itchy eyes and nose, you may suffer from post-nasal drip which can irritate your throat. Similarly, if you are congested, you may breathe through your mouth, which can dry out and irritate your throat.
At Bronx Urgent Care, we accept many of the largest insurance plans. The list of insurance plans we currently accept are listed below. Please contact our office if you don't see your insurance provider listed.
