A sudden, intense sore throat that hits out of nowhere can be alarming — especially when it comes with a fever and swollen glands. If that sounds familiar, strep throat urgent care may be exactly what you need. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires fast diagnosis and treatment. Waiting too long can lead to serious complications. Fortunately, CityHealth Urgent Care in Oakland and San Leandro provides rapid strep testing and treatment — often in under an hour.
What Is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus (also called Streptococcus pyogenes). It primarily infects the throat and tonsils, causing inflammation, pain, and a range of uncomfortable symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strep throat affects roughly 3 in 10 children and 1 in 10 adults who seek care for a sore throat.
Strep throat spreads easily through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares utensils, the bacteria can pass to anyone nearby. Crowded environments — like schools, daycare centers, and offices — make transmission especially common. Because strep is bacterial (not viral), antibiotics are the only effective treatment. Over-the-counter remedies can ease discomfort, but they will not clear the infection.
Strep Throat Symptoms: What to Look For
Strep throat symptoms typically appear 2 to 5 days after exposure to the bacteria. They tend to come on suddenly and feel noticeably different from the gradual onset of a common cold. Therefore, knowing these warning signs can help you act quickly.
The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
- Sudden, severe sore throat — pain that arrives quickly, not gradually
- Fever of 101°F or higher — a clear sign of bacterial infection
- Red, swollen tonsils — often with white patches or streaks of pus
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck (tender to the touch)
- Difficulty swallowing — even small sips of water can hurt
- Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth (called petechiae)
- Headache and body aches
- Nausea or stomach pain — especially in children
In some cases, strep throat can trigger scarlet fever — a red, sandpaper-like rash that spreads across the body. If you or your child develops this rash alongside a sore throat, seek strep throat urgent care right away.
Strep Throat vs. a Regular Sore Throat
Not every sore throat is strep. In fact, most sore throats are caused by viruses — and antibiotics will not help with viral infections. However, it is important to know the difference, because untreated strep can lead to serious complications.
Here is how to tell them apart:
- Strep throat: Sudden onset, high fever, white patches on tonsils, no cough, no runny nose
- Viral sore throat: Gradual onset, often accompanied by cough, runny nose, hoarseness, or pink eye
If you have a cough or a runny nose along with your sore throat, you most likely have a viral illness. However, if your symptoms appeared suddenly and include a fever with no cold symptoms, strep is more likely. Either way, the only way to know for sure is to get a rapid strep test at an urgent care clinic.
When Should You Go to Strep Throat Urgent Care?
You should visit a strep throat urgent care clinic if you experience any of the following:
- A sore throat that came on suddenly and is getting worse
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
- Throat pain so severe it is hard to swallow or breathe
- White or yellow patches on your tonsils
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
- A rash appearing alongside your sore throat
- Symptoms that have persisted for more than 2–3 days without improvement
- A child under 15 with any of the above symptoms
You should not wait for a regular doctor’s appointment in many of these situations. Strep throat urgent care gives you same-day access to testing and treatment — without a long wait or the need for a pre-existing appointment. Moreover, starting antibiotics quickly can reduce your contagious period and prevent serious complications from developing.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you or your child is having trouble breathing, cannot swallow at all, or is drooling excessively. These are signs of a severe complication that requires emergency care.
What Happens During a Strep Throat Urgent Care Visit
Visiting CityHealth Urgent Care for a suspected strep infection is straightforward and fast. Here is what you can expect during your strep throat urgent care visit:
Step 1: Check-In and Symptom Review
You will check in either in person or online. A medical assistant will take your vitals — temperature, blood pressure, heart rate — and ask about your symptoms. Be prepared to describe when your sore throat started and what other symptoms you have noticed.
Step 2: Rapid Strep Test
The provider will gently swab the back of your throat. This takes only a few seconds. The rapid antigen detection test (RADT) produces results in 5 to 10 minutes. If the rapid test comes back negative but strep is still strongly suspected, the provider may send a throat culture to a lab for confirmation — though results take 24 to 48 hours.
Step 3: Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
If the test is positive, your provider will prescribe an antibiotic. Most patients start feeling better within 24 to 48 hours of starting treatment. The provider will also give you guidance on managing symptoms at home and preventing spread to family members.
Strep Throat Treatment Options
Because strep throat is caused by bacteria, antibiotic treatment is essential. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for strep throat include:
- Penicillin — the first-line treatment for most patients (oral or injectable)
- Amoxicillin — often preferred for children due to its taste and ease of use
- Cephalexin or cefadroxil — used for patients with penicillin sensitivity
- Clindamycin or azithromycin — options for patients with penicillin allergies
It is critical to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if you feel better after a few days. Stopping early can allow the bacteria to survive and may lead to complications like rheumatic fever — a condition that can damage heart valves — or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a kidney disease. Additionally, you remain contagious until you have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours and your fever has resolved.
In addition to antibiotics, you can use the following home remedies to ease symptoms:
- Gargle with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water)
- Drink plenty of cool fluids and stay hydrated
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever and throat pain
- Eat soft foods and cold treats like yogurt or popsicles to soothe the throat
- Rest as much as possible to help your immune system recover
How to Prevent Strep Throat From Spreading
Strep throat is highly contagious, so prevention matters — especially in households with children. Fortunately, a few simple habits can reduce your risk significantly.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating and after coughing or sneezing
- Avoid sharing cups, utensils, or food with anyone who is sick
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- Stay home from school or work until you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and are fever-free
- Replace your toothbrush once you start antibiotics to avoid reinfection
- Wash dishes and surfaces used by the sick person separately
Furthermore, anyone else in your household who develops sore throat symptoms should also get tested. Strep bacteria spread quickly between family members, so early testing and treatment for all affected individuals is important.
Get Strep Throat Care at CityHealth Urgent Care
When strep strikes, you want fast answers and effective treatment. At CityHealth Urgent Care in Oakland (Montclair Village) and San Leandro, our experienced providers offer same-day strep throat urgent care — including rapid strep testing, diagnosis, and antibiotic prescriptions — seven days a week.
You do not need to suffer through days of throat pain waiting for a primary care appointment. Our on-site diagnostic lab means we can confirm your diagnosis and start treatment in a single visit. We also offer virtual care for strep throat consultations, so you can connect with a provider from home if you prefer not to come in.
Book your appointment online or walk in today. CityHealth is open seven days a week, with minimal wait times and care you can trust. Whether it is strep throat or any other urgent health concern, we are here when you need us most.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
