PSA from urgent care RN – strep throat appears to be on the rise right now

Hi all! You’ve seen my posts before about flu and covid.

I wanted to spread a PSA for y’all that strep throat seems to be particularly prevalent right now. I base this entirely on the fact that we tested about 30 people in the last 2 days and about 30% of those tested came back positive on their rapid strep tests.

I know it may not sound like a lot, but this is a huge number of patients when compared to how many people we tests for strep/how many rapid tests are positive.

Remember, just because you have a sore throat DOES NOT mean you have strep – it’s more likely to be related to a cold or the flu. Or just a random sore throat caused by some virus.

Strep throat is caused by a bacteria and does not typically present with a cough/runny nose.

The most common symptoms that I hear from patients who end up testing positive either on rapid test in clinic or their throat culture are:

it came on suddenly, it really hurts to swallow, they have noticed that their tonsils are enlarged/enflamed, they report an earache/headache along with their sore throat. Nausea/vomiting in younger children.

Of course there are more symptoms but those are the ones that seem most common.

As of the writing of this post, I have not been able to find any AT-HOME strep tests. If anyone knows where to buy, please share that information and I can edit the post.

EDIT: There are NO FDA approved at-home tests currently on the market at this time.

If you have any of the above symptoms, please go to an urgent care to be tested. This will involve a strep test where the back of your throat is swabbed (warning, it will probably make you gag), a discussion/exam with the clinician, and possibly the swab being sent to the lab to see if it grows bacteria – this is the typical process at my clinic and it may look different at others.

Depending on the results of your rapid swab and the discussion/evaluation by the clinician, you may be prescribed antibiotics – I have seen patients test negative on the swab but be prescribed antibiotics anyway because the clinician took one look at them and their tonsils/throat and knew/highly suspected it was strep.

Sometimes you don’t get antibiotics UNTIL we get the results of your culture back. Which could take 1-3 days.

If you test negative, the treatment is supportive: ibuprofen to help with pain, Tylenol to help reduce fever, staying well hydrated, getting lots of rest.

Sometimes I have seen the clinicians prescribe viscous lidocaine which helps to numb the throat and relieve pain so you can swallow.

Strep throat is spread by droplets in much the same way cold/flu is. In terms of prevention – WASH YOUR HANDS often, avoid touching your face and eyes, cover your sneeze/cough, wear a mask, avoid sharing utensils/glasses/toothbrushes.

Typically, persons being treated for strep (with antibiotics) are considered less contagious after 24 hours (after starting the antibiotic) and can often return to school/work if they are fever-free without using medication to reduce said fever. Of course, check with your school/workplace for their actual policy.

DISCLAIMER: nothing in this post is intended to replace medical advice from a practicing clinician and should NOT be used to make any healthcare decision. I am just an idiot who enjoys surfing buttholes in my spare time.

I consider it part of my job to raise public awareness.

Stay happy and healthy! And please be nice to/patient with the clinic staff!