Online Sore Throat & Strep Care
Talk to a Doctor Today
Painful swallowing, swollen glands, or a fever? See a licensed provider by video across Massachusetts and New Hampshire for $79 flat. We'll evaluate your symptoms and either treat you or, if a strep test is needed, get you a rapid swab at our Chelmsford office — same team, often same day. (Additional charges may apply for related services.)
Sore Throat Symptoms We Help With
- A sudden, painful sore throat
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
- Swollen, tender glands in the neck
- Red or swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
- Fever and headache
- A sore throat without much cough (more often strep)
Can Strep Throat Be Treated Online?
Here's the honest answer: confirming strep usually needs a quick throat swab (a rapid strep test). On a video visit, a licensed provider assesses your symptoms and your risk for strep. Many sore throats are viral and get better on their own — antibiotics won't help those, and we won't prescribe them when they won't work. If strep looks likely, we'll either get you a rapid strep test at our Chelmsford office and treat based on the result, or treat when it's clearly appropriate under standard guidelines. This is where being a real local practice helps — we can move you from a video visit to an in-person swab quickly, on the same record.
When You Should Be Seen In Person (or Go to the ER)
Get urgent or emergency care right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing, or trouble swallowing your own saliva (drooling)
- Severe, one-sided throat pain or swelling, or trouble opening your mouth
- A stiff neck with high fever
For a strep test or a sore throat that isn't improving, we'll see you at our Chelmsford office.
How It Works
- 1Book online — visits often start in under 5 minutes.
- 2Talk with a provider by video or secure message about your symptoms.
- 3Get your plan — treatment when appropriate, a rapid strep test at our Chelmsford office if needed, and clear guidance on what to watch for.
$79 — No Insurance Needed
A RapidMDNow virtual visit is $79 flat, no insurance required (we also accept most commercial plans). No waiting room, no facility fees. (Additional charges may apply for related services such as a rapid strep test or an in-person visit.) We're a real Massachusetts practice led by Dr. Ajay Nanavati — if you need in-person care, we're right here in Chelmsford. See our virtual urgent care page for everything else we treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you test for strep online?+
A strep diagnosis needs a throat swab, which can't be done over video. A provider can assess your symptoms and risk by video, and if a test is needed we'll get you a rapid strep test at our Chelmsford office — usually quickly.
Will I get antibiotics?+
Only if you have (or clearly likely have) a bacterial infection like strep. Most sore throats are viral, and antibiotics won't help those — we'll be straight with you about what actually works.
Is my sore throat strep or just a cold?+
They overlap, but strep often comes on suddenly with fever, swollen glands, and little or no cough, while a cold usually has more runny nose and cough. A provider will help sort it out and recommend the right next step.
How fast can I be seen?+
Video visits are often available within minutes, and we can usually get you a same-day rapid strep test at our Chelmsford office if you need one.
How much does it cost?+
$79 flat for self-pay; we also accept most commercial insurance. (Additional charges may apply for related services.)
Who can use this?+
Anyone physically located in Massachusetts or New Hampshire at the time of the visit.