Sore Throat or Strep? When to Visit Scotch Plains Urgent Care

Sore Throat or Strep? When to Visit Scotch Plains Urgent Care

A sore throat is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care—especially during cold and flu season. But how do you know if it’s just a minor irritation or something more serious like strep throat?

At Scotch Plains Medical Center / Urgent Care, we help patients get fast, accurate diagnosis and relief when sore throat symptoms strike.

Common Causes of a Sore Throat

Not all sore throats are the same. They can be caused by:

• Viral infections (like the common cold or flu)
• Bacterial infections such as streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat)
• Allergies or post-nasal drip
• Dry air or irritants (smoke, pollution)
• Tonsillitis

Understanding the cause is key to choosing the right treatment.

Signs Your Sore Throat Might Be Strep

While many sore throats are viral and go away on their own, strep throat requires antibiotics. Here are signs you may have strep:

• Sudden, severe sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever over 101°F
• Swollen tonsils (sometimes with white patches)
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• No cough or cold symptoms

If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to visit urgent care in Scotch Plains for a quick strep test and treatment plan.

Why Choose Urgent Care for a Sore Throat?

Visiting Scotch Plains Medical Center / Urgent Care offers several benefits:

✅ No appointment needed – Walk in anytime
✅ On-site rapid strep testing for same-day answers
✅ Prescription antibiotics when needed
✅ Faster relief and peace of mind
✅ Shorter wait times than the ER
✅ Open evenings and weekends for your convenience

What Happens During a Sore Throat Visit?

Our providers will:

1. Ask about your symptoms
2. Perform a physical exam
3. If needed, do a rapid strep test or throat culture
4. Provide treatment options based on the cause—viral or bacterial

We’ll also give you home care tips to ease your throat pain and help you recover quickly.

When to Seek Immediate Care

Come to urgent care right away if you have:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• A sore throat lasting more than a week
• High fever
• Rash (which can accompany strep)
• Ear pain or swollen glands

Get Quick Relief at Scotch Plains Medical Center / Urgent Care

Don’t let a sore throat slow you down. If you think it could be strep throat, we’re here to help with fast testing, expert care, and same-day treatment.

Walk in today or call us for more information.

Scotch Plains

Read the latest healthcare insights and clinic news authored by the Scotch Plains Medical Clinic team. Your trusted source for community health updates.

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