Online strep throat treatment with CodyMD is fast, clinically rigorous, and built around the Centor/McIsaac scoring system that licensed doctors use in person. Text a US-licensed physician, describe your symptoms, and — if your presentation supports strep — antibiotics are sent to your pharmacy in 1 hour. $49 flat, no insurance required.

The 3-step process

Step 1: Text Cody. Describe what you're experiencing: when your sore throat started (was it sudden?), fever level if known, whether you have a cough, swollen glands on your neck, white spots on your tonsils, any allergies, current medications, and recent strep exposure (sick kids, sick coworkers).

Step 2: Clinical review. A licensed physician applies Centor/McIsaac scoring. For McIsaac 4–5 with the classic picture (sudden onset, fever, no cough, exudate, tender glands), empiric antibiotic treatment may be appropriate per IDSA guidance. For McIsaac 2–3, the doctor recommends a home rapid strep test or in-person swab before prescribing. For McIsaac 0–1, the doctor explains why strep is unlikely and recommends supportive care.

Step 3: Prescription in 1 hour. If antibiotics are warranted, the prescription is sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice. Most pharmacies fill in 30–60 minutes. Total time from first text to medication in hand: 1 hour.

What to tell the doctor

The more clinical detail, the better the assessment. Include onset (sudden vs. gradual), severity of throat pain, fever (specific temperature if you've taken it), presence or absence of cough, runny nose, hoarseness, ear pain, swollen glands, white spots on tonsils, abdominal pain (in younger patients), and known exposure to strep. For the symptom guide, see strep throat symptoms.

When the doctor recommends testing first

For moderate-probability scores (McIsaac 2–3), the right move is a rapid strep test before any antibiotic. Options: a home rapid strep test (Lucira, OnGo, and others sold OTC), or an in-person rapid swab at urgent care or a pharmacy clinic. If positive, text the result back to Cody and the antibiotic is sent to your pharmacy. This protects against over-prescribing for viral pharyngitis. For more on the clinical logic, see strep vs viral sore throat.

Why telehealth works for strep evaluation

The Centor/McIsaac criteria are entirely history-based — fever, cough or no cough, tender lymph nodes (which patients can feel for themselves), and tonsillar exudate (which patients can often see with a flashlight and phone camera, or which the doctor accepts based on patient report). The American Medical Association's telehealth guidance confirms that telehealth meets the same standard of care as in-person visits when conducted by licensed physicians for appropriate conditions.

When you need in-person care

Telehealth works for uncomplicated strep evaluation. Cases that require in-person care immediately: inability to swallow saliva, drooling, muffled "hot potato" voice, difficulty breathing or stridor, severe one-sided throat pain with difficulty opening the mouth (possible peritonsillar abscess), or stiff neck with severe headache and fever. CodyMD's licensed doctors will tell you directly if your case needs ER or urgent care.

Cost and what's included

CodyMD is $49 flat, including the physician consultation, Centor scoring, e-prescription (if indicated), and built-in follow-up. No insurance needed. HSA/FSA eligible. For the full pricing breakdown vs urgent care, PCP, and ER, see strep treatment pricing.

Bottom line

Strep evaluation is one of the conditions telehealth handles well — the clinical scoring system is symptom-based and well-validated. Text Cody, describe your symptoms, and if you have strep, antibiotics are at your pharmacy in 1 hour. If you don't, an honest licensed doctor will tell you that too.