After working in clinical appointments at healthcare centers in several US states and serving as a volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa, Samuel Bride, MD, started his role as the medical director of the UMD urgent care facility in New York, NY. In this position, Dr. Samuel (Sam) Bride treats patients who require immediate medical attention for illnesses such as strep throat.
Strep throat is caused by the bacteria group A streptococcus, which is highly contagious. Early symptoms include painful swelling in the throat and lymph nodes, fever, and white patches on the tonsils. While people can recover from strep throat without treatment, urgent care may be necessary for certain situations.
For example, children under age 15 with an untreated strep infection are more susceptible to developing rheumatic fever. The bacterial infection can also spread to other parts of the body. If a patient with a sore throat experiences ongoing fever, swelling, or a rash, they should have a strep test.
