Walk-in Rapid Strep Test in Charlotte NC | AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Rd

If you think you may have strep throat, the best thing to do is get tested. Our Charlotte walk-in clinic offers strep throat testing and treatment using Rapid Molecular Strep Throat tests with results under 6 minutes.

Doctor examines child with strep throat

How long does it take to get a strep test result?

The Rapid Molecular Strep Test is a brief process, with results in 6 minutes or less. All we need is a quick swab of the throat.

What happens if Strep Throat is not treated?

When strep throat goes unmanaged, it can lead to many consequences, such as nephritis and/or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can result in swollen and painful joints, an irritating rash and potentially even heart valve damage.

What is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a common bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus. It’s highly contagious and can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including throat pain, fever and swollen lymph nodes.

What are common symptoms of strep throat?

Typical symptoms of strep throat include:

  • Sudden throat pain
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Swollen and reddened tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
  • Small red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth
  • Swollen and tender lymph nodes in your neck
  • Headache
  • Nausea/vomiting, particularly in younger children
  • Body aches

Who can get a Strep Throat infection?

Strep throat is most common in children ages 5 to 15, but it can affect people of all ages. People who spend a lot of time in crowded environments, such as schools, daycares and offices are also at greater risk for strep throat. If you think you or your child may have strep throat, visit AFC Urgent Care today for prompt testing and treatment.

How accurate is the Rapid Molecular Strep Throat Test at AFC Urgent Care?

When it comes to diagnosing strep throat, accuracy is crucial. That’s why rapid molecular strep testing is the best way to go. The rapid molecular strep test is 98.5% accurate in identifying those who have a strep infection. This means that out of 100 people tested, 98 of them will receive an accurate result. When we talk about accuracy, it’s important to consider these factors: Sensitivity and Specificity.

Why is it important to get a quick and accurate strep diagnosis?

If you believe you have strep throat, it’s important to get tested and treated quickly. The sooner you get tested, the sooner you’ll get back to normal and avoid spreading it to others. If your provider treats you with antibiotics, you’ll likely feel better and get back into your routine the next day. Don’t put off getting treatment, and get tested ASAP.

What does Sensitivity and Specificity mean?

Sensitivity measures how often a test correctly identifies those who have a strep infection. A test with high sensitivity will not lead to many false-negative outcomes and will be able to detect almost everyone who has the disease.

Specificity measures how often a test correctly identifies those who don’t have a strep infection. A test with high specificity will correctly exclude individuals who don’t have the disease and will not generate many false-positive results.

Our strep testing is highly accurate when it comes to detecting group A strep, exhibiting 98.5% sensitivity and 93.4% specificity. These results have been verified by the manufacturer of our equipment, Abbott Labs, and have been found to have an average of 1.5% false negatives and 6.6% false positives.

Sources & References:

CDC
Mayo Clinic
Health News Review