Strep and Mono Testing in Vernon Hills, IL

Pediatric Offices in Lake Bluff, Lincolnshire, and Vernon Hills, IL

At Lake Forest Pediatric Associates, 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.

The team of caring pediatricians at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates are all board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have performed accurate strep and mono tests for children for years. If your child is experiencing symptoms of strep throat or mono, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Give us a call at (847) 295-1220 or request an appointment through our secure online form. With locations in Lake Bluff, Lindenhurst, and Vernon Hills, there is bound to be an office near you! We provide rapid strep and mono testing for patients from Vernon Hills, North Chicago, Lake Forest, Knollwood, Libertyville, Lake Bluff, Lindenhurst, and the surrounding areas.

Rapid Strep Test

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 your pediatrician 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 your pediatrician 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 give a positive result for the same patient with streptococcus.

If you begin to notice any of the following symptoms with your child, please contact Lake Forest Pediatric Associates as soon as possible to have one of our physicians examine your child 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

Monospot Test

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.

Schedule Mono or Strep Screening Today

If your child is experiencing symptoms of strep or mono, contact Lake Forest Pediatric Associates today to schedule an appointment. The pediatricians with Lake Forest Pediatric Associates are all board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have years of experience diagnosing and treating strep and mono. Lake Forest Pediatric Associates are open 365 days a year – with medical professionals on call 24 hours a day – to provide the all-around care that your family deserves. With locations in Lake Bluff, Lindenhurst, or Vernon Hills, there is bound to be an office near you!

Message to Our Patients

Due to increased illnesses in the area, unfortunately, call hold times may be longer than usual. Our staff are working to get to everyone, and we apologize for any inconvenience.