Rapid Strep Test in Orlando, FL

Do you feel like your throat is on fire? Is it painful to swallow? You could have a highly contagious bacterial infection known as Streptococcus pyogenes – more commonly referred to as strep throat. The only way to know for sure is to be tested. At Optimum Direct Care, a membership-based direct primary care (DPC) practice in Orlando, Florida, our board-certified family practice physician, Dr. Toni “Muzzi” Muzzonigro, can perform a rapid strep test onsite and have your result ready within minutes.

When to Be Tested for Strep Throat

The symptoms of strep throat can develop very suddenly and are usually much more severe than those associated with a common sore throat. Along with extreme throat pain and difficulty swallowing, a strep infection can cause:

Inflamed tonsils
Tiny red spots at the back of your mouth
Tender, swollen lymph nodes in your neck
Body aches
Fever and chills
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting

In addition to strep, most of these symptoms can have other causes, such as a viral infection. Because bacterial (strep) infections and viral infections require different treatment approaches, it is essential to confirm the cause of your symptoms with a rapid strep test prior to beginning any treatment.

To perform a rapid strep test, Dr. Muzzi will gently swab the back of your throat, then evaluate the swab in our onsite clinical lab for evidence of strep antigens, which are produced by the body’s immune system in response to the strep bacteria. A positive rapid strep test means that you have strep throat.

How Is Strep Throat Treated?

Based on a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and the outcome of your rapid strep test, Dr. Muzzi can diagnose your condition and recommend appropriate treatment to help you feel better. If you do have strep throat, Dr. Muzzi may prescribe an antibiotic to help destroy the bacteria that are causing your infection, reduce your discomfort, and prevent complications, such as rheumatic fever. Because we dispense free generic prescription medications through our office formulary, you can begin your antibiotic treatment without delay. Some other things you can do to feel better include getting plenty of rest, staying well-hydrated, gargling with warm salt water, and eating cool, soft foods to avoid irritating your throat.

If you have a sore throat and would like to receive a rapid strep test, contact Optimum Direct Care in Orlando, FL. And, if you’re not yet a member of our DPC practice, inquire about a membership today.

“My husband and I were in search of a new physician when my neighbor mentioned that we should meet Dr Toni Muzzinigro who was a “Direct Primary Care” physician. We were not familiar with the term and were very intrigued. We made an initial appointment with her and learned so many things that we didn’t think existed anymore. Her main focus is on the patient and not the insurance companies! When she doesn’t have to worry about the bureaucracy and red tape of insurance companies, she has so much more time to listen to the patient and come up with a truly great level of care. The patient comes first and foremost. Our initial appointment was so thorough. She wanted to know every aspect of our past records. I felt like she really cared about us and her main goal was to keep us as healthy as possible. During our annual appointments, Dr. Muzzi schedules enough time to go over every concern you may have. Her explanations of test results are very thorough, and she is very knowledgeable of up to date medical breakthroughs. There have been some times during the year that we needed a doctor’s advice quickly. She is available to us basically 24/7. You can get in touch with her via phone, text, or video conferencing. Many things can be handled in a quick and timely manner. However, if there is a need to see her personally, getting in to see her doesn’t take weeks. Usually, you can make an appointment the very next day. How comforting is it to know that your doctor is always available to you and truly cares about your wellbeing! That is worth its weight in gold! Her staff are an added bonus! They run the office efficiently and take care of any other needs we may have. Another great advantage is that Dr. Muzzi has a network of specialists, labs, and resources available to us and at a discounted rate and free generic prescriptions. Personally, we like the fact that someone can help us navigate the medical system and direct us in the right direction. I simply can’t say enough. Dr. Muzzi has become our doctor as well as a good friend. She will always have our best interest at heart and her main goal is to provide the highest level of care. We are so thankful to have found Dr. Muzzi and Optimum Direct Care.”
Bambie A.

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