The Journal Saint-François | Streptococcus A detection more accessible

Streptococcus A detection is now more accessible since it is now offered at many local service points in Quebec, including those in Montérégie.

This service thus improves the sampling, screening and vaccination offer and improves access to preventive health services for the population, in particular thanks to easier appointment making, announces the Ministry of Health.

This service was previously offered only in hospitals, family medicine groups (GMF) and pharmacies, but has been gradually rolling out since last December. It is currently possible at approximately 60 local service points, to be accessible throughout Quebec by next fall.

The symptoms of Streptococcus A are:
• severe sore throat;
• pain when swallowing;
• fever;
• tenderness of the lymph nodes in the neck;
• whitish deposits on the tonsils and/or in the back of the throat;
• nausea, vomiting, and sometimes abdominal pain, particularly in children.

During the appointment, a nurse makes the clinical assessment and, if necessary, does a test to determine if the person is infected with Streptococcus A. If the test turns out to be positive, antibiotic treatment can be prescribed directly on site. .

In Montérégie, in the areas served by Gravité Média, local service points are located:

Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
50, rue Dufferin

Brossard
1575 Panama Avenue

Candiac
30, rue Strasbourg