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Are strep throat and sore throat the same thing?
Is strep throat a bacterial infection?
Is a fever a sign of strep throat?
Jan 29, 2023 · Symptoms of sore throat vs. strep. Viral infections, like the common cold or flu, cause sore throats (pharyngitis). And it usually comes with other symptoms like: Runny nose. Red or watery eyes ...
- Overview
- Symptom comparison
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatments
- When to see a doctor
- The bottom line
Strep throat is usually accompanied by a fever and white patches on your tonsils. But the only way to be sure it’s strep throat is to have a strep test done.
To go or not to go to the doctor? That’s often the question when you have a sore, scratchy throat. If your sore throat is due to strep throat, a doctor can prescribe you antibiotics. But if it’s due to a virus, like a cold, then treatments are of the at-home variety.
The following are differences in physical signs and symptoms that you may experience when you have a sore throat. However, it isn’t always clear by looking at the throat what type of infection a person has.
As you’ll see, several of the different sore throat causes have similar symptoms.
The following are some of the most common sore throat causes:
•Strep throat: The bacteria group A Streptococcus is the most common cause of strep throat.
•Sore throat (viral pharyngitis): Viruses are the most common cause of sore throat, including rhinoviruses or a respiratory syncytial virus. These viruses can cause other symptoms, such as:
•a cold
•earache
•bronchitis
In many cases, your age may clue in your doctor to the likely cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strep throat is most common in those ages 5 to 15. Adults and those younger than age 3 rarely get strep throat. An exception is when an adult comes in contact with children or is the parent of a school-age child.
Your doctor can also perform a visual examination of your throat, taking into consideration your signs and symptoms. If a strep throat is suspected, they can perform a quick test that involves swabbing the throat to test for the presence of group A strep bacteria. This test is called a rapid strep test.
Bacteria is the underlying cause of strep throat, so doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Most patients report improved symptoms within 24 to 48 hours of taking antibiotics for strep throat.
While it’s nice that antibiotics can quickly improve symptoms, these medications are primarily given for strep throat because the condition can cause serious and chronic infections in other places, such as your heart, joints, and kidneys.
The medication of choice for strep throat is usually from the penicillin family — amoxicillin is a common one. However, other antibiotics are available if you’re allergic to these.
Unfortunately, antibiotics won’t work against viruses, including those that cause tonsillitis, mononucleosis, or sore throat.
To reduce throat pain, you can also try the following lifestyle remedies:
•Rest as much as possible.
See your doctor if you experience the following symptoms related to your sore throat:
•fever that’s higher than 101.5°F (37°C) for 2 days or more
•throat swelling that makes it difficult to swallow
•back of the throat has white patches or streaks of pus
•having difficulty breathing or swallowing
If your sore throat symptoms worsen, see your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible.
The throat is a vulnerable place to experiencing swelling and irritation due to colds, strep throat, ear infections, and more. The sudden onset of fever and other symptoms is one way to tell the difference between strep throat — which usually causes fever — and a sore throat due to a virus.
If you’re not sure or are in a lot of pain, talk with your doctor or another healthcare provider.
Aug 16, 2022 · Strep throat is a bacterial infection. It causes swelling in the tonsils. Symptoms may include a painful sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and white patches of pus on the tonsils. A sore throat may be caused by a viral infection or environmental irritant, which may also cause swelling of the tonsils.
Feb 16, 2024 · Common symptoms may include: Fever. Pain when swallowing. Red and swollen tonsils. Sore throat that started very quickly and may look red. Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck. Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae. White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils. View Larger Download.
Nov 30, 2022 · Overview. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Strep throat accounts for only a small portion of sore throats. If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever.
Jan 11, 2023 · Jan. 11, 2023. Understanding the difference between sore throat and strep throat is important because each requires a different treatment. Photo: Getty Images. Sore throats are a common – and unwelcome – feature of the winter months in the United States, including Colorado.
Apr 17, 2024 · Oral Care Guide. How Do You Know if You Have Strep Throat? Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on April 17, 2024. Written by Kim Painter. What Are the Common Symptoms of Strep Throat? How to...
