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At Joshi Medical Services, we are able to test for various diseases on-site using our laboratory facilities. These tests help us to conclude accurate results regarding illnesses that may be affecting you or your children.

One of the first tests performed if an individual shows any signs of having strep throat is called a rapid strep test. The purpose of this screening is to determine whether or not a bacteria called group A streptococcus is present.

As you may have guessed by its name, a rapid strep test only requires a few minutes to garner its results. This is particularly helpful because it allows Dr. Joshi to recommend an appropriate course of treatment right away instead of having to wait several days for the results to return from the lab.

Most cases of strep throat are solved using a prescribed antibiotic. Even if your rapid strep test comes back with negative results, you may still be prescribed medications by Dr. Joshi in order to treat your symptoms. A throat culture will likely be sent to a lab facility to await a more complex conclusion about your condition. It is not uncommon for a rapid strep test to give a negative result, and then have a throat culture to give a positive result for the same patient with streptococcus.

If you begin to notice any of the following symptoms, please contact Joshi Medical Services as soon as possible to have one of our physicians examine you for strep throat:

• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Enlarged tonsils that may also have a red coloring to them
• White patches on your tongue or throat
• A fever
• Swelling of the lymph nodes located along both sides of the neck
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pains, nausea, or vomiting
• A headache

When a rapid strep test is performed, it is not uncommon for your physician to also complete a routine test for mononucleosis. This condition presents many of the same symptoms as strep throat, which is why testing is usually done for both at the same time.

One way to identify a case of mononucleosis is to check an individual’s antibodies. These antibodies help the body to respond to various diseases, including the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This infection is often the cause of mononucleosis, which means that when the virus is present, the body will respond by producing more and more antibodies. A monospot test is able to detect whether or not there is an elevated number of antibodies present, which in turn leads to a positive or negative conclusion regarding the presence of mono.

If you suspect that you may have strep throat or mono, please contact Joshi Medical Services today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Joshi. He will be able to fully evaluate your symptoms and administer any tests as necessary. Dr. Ashok Joshi has over 25 years of experience performing quick and accurate strep and mono tests. To make an appointment, please call our Billerica clinic at (978) 670-1300 or our Lowell clinic at (978) 454-9703 or fill out our online form.