In-office rapid testing
A quick throat swab gives reliable results in 5 to 10 minutes — no waiting on outside labs, no second visit.
Services
Strep Throat Care
A bad sore throat in a school-age child often means strep — and strep is one of the few sore throats that actually needs antibiotics. We test in the office, get answers in minutes, and start treatment the same visit. Most kids feel better within 24 to 48 hours and can return to school after a full day on antibiotics.
When to Call
Call us if you notice any of these
We help you decide whether to come in, go to urgent care, or call 911. When in doubt, call.
- Sore throat with a fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
- Trouble swallowing, or refusing to drink
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
- Headache, stomachache, or rash with the sore throat
- Someone in the house has been diagnosed with strep recently
- A sore throat that lasts more than 48 hours without other cold symptoms (no runny nose, no cough)
What We Check
What we cover in the room
- A look at the throat and tonsils for redness, swelling, white patches, or pus
- Lymph nodes in the neck for swelling and tenderness
- A rapid strep test (a quick swab — 5 to 10 minutes for results)
- A throat culture if the rapid test is negative but symptoms strongly suggest strep
- Other possible causes: viral pharyngitis, mononucleosis, hand-foot-and-mouth, or post-nasal drip
- Whether anyone else in the household needs to be tested
Care We Provide
Your visit includes
Antibiotics when they’re needed
If the test is positive, we start treatment the same visit. We don’t prescribe for viral sore throats, even if the family hopes for a quick fix.
Pain relief plan
Strep hurts. We’ll talk through ibuprofen or acetaminophen dosing, warm salt-water gargles for older kids, and easy-to-swallow foods.
Backup throat culture
If the rapid test is negative but everything else points to strep, we send a culture to confirm — and call you with results within 24 to 48 hours.
Family follow-up
Strep spreads easily at home. We’ll talk through who else might need testing and how to keep it from cycling through siblings.
Clear return-to-school guidance
Most kids can return after 24 hours on antibiotics and no fever. We send you home with a written note for the school.
Come Prepared
What to bring
A few small things ahead of the visit help us spend more time on your child — and less on paperwork.
- Insurance card + photo IDFor the responsible adult on the visit.
- Symptom timelineWhen the sore throat started, fever readings, and any exposures (siblings, classmates with strep).
- What you’ve already givenIbuprofen, acetaminophen, throat lozenges — names, doses, and last time given.
- Water and a comfort itemStrep makes swallowing painful. Cold water and a familiar toy help during the swab.
FAQs
Questions families ask
How is strep throat tested?
We do a quick swab of the back of the throat. The rapid test gives results in 5 to 10 minutes. If the rapid test is negative but symptoms still look like strep, we send a culture to a lab and call you with the result within 24 to 48 hours.
Why does my child need antibiotics for strep?
Untreated strep can lead to rare but serious complications like rheumatic fever, kidney problems, or abscesses. Antibiotics shorten the illness, reduce contagion, and prevent these complications. They’re one of the few sore throats where antibiotics make a real difference.
How soon will my child feel better?
Most kids feel noticeably better within 24 to 48 hours of starting antibiotics. The full course is usually 10 days — finish all of it, even if your child feels fine, to fully clear the bacteria.
When can my child go back to school?
After 24 hours on antibiotics and no fever for 24 hours. We send a written note home with you. Most schools and daycares require both.
Should the rest of the family get tested?
Only if they have symptoms — sore throat, fever, swollen glands. We don’t routinely test or treat people without symptoms, even if they live with someone who has strep. If a sibling develops symptoms, call us.
What if my child gets strep over and over?
Recurrent strep (multiple episodes a year) sometimes points to a chronic carrier state, household re-exposure, or rarely the need for an ENT consult about tonsillectomy. We’ll review the pattern, look at risk factors, and decide together when it’s worth a deeper look.
Related care
You might also want to know about
Well-Child VisitsRoutine well-child visits in Woodbridge, VA — growth checks, vaccines, development screening, and school/sports forms.Learn more
Sick VisitsSame-day sick visits in Woodbridge, VA — fever, ear pain, sore throat, rashes, and more.Learn more
Ear Infection CareSame-day care for ear infections in Woodbridge, VA — careful diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and antibiotics only when they help.Learn more
Allergy CarePediatric allergy care in Woodbridge, VA — seasonal, food, environmental, and skin allergies.Learn more
Caring for Woodbridge families since 1999
Easy to find, with ample parking and a calm waiting area for families.
Office Hours
- Monday – Friday
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
A provider is on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year.