Nobody wants a sore throat. It hurts to swallow, and the scratchy, burning pain keeps us up at night when we need to rest the most. But how do you know if your sore throat is something more serious, like strep throat?
We’re here to help you understand the difference between a sore throat and strep throat so you can get the best care and any needed medications for your condition.
What Is a “Normal” Sore Throat?
A typical sore throat, also called pharyngitis, caused by a virus like the common cold, is a familiar complaint in the winter months when we spend more time indoors in crowds. Viruses that cause sore throats and other cold symptoms — like a runny nose, cough and hoarse voice — will usually resolve on their own.
You can make yourself more comfortable by treating your sore throat and cold symptoms with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and NSAIDs, getting plenty of rest and keeping yourself properly nourished and hydrated.
You can try these effective home remedies to treat a sore throat:
- Gargle: Gargling with a salt water or baking soda solution can help reduce irritation, break up mucous, reduce bacteria and prevent the growth of fungi
- Steam: Breathing warm, humid air can open airways and alleviate soreness; run a hot bath or shower with the bathroom door closed, allowing the room to fill with steam. Just sitting in a steamy room works, too
- Fluids: Drinking liquids can help clear mucous that’s irritating your throat, and both hot and cold liquids can provide relief; consider hot tea or lemon water, chilled sports drinks or plain water
- Honey: A natural solution for throat pain, honey has antibacterial properties and its sweetness can calm nerve endings and relieve your cough; try adding honey to hot tea or drizzle it over toast or yogurt
Here is a list of sore throat symptoms, along with accompanying viral symptoms:
- A swollen, scratchy, itchy throat
- Congestion
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Earache
- Moderate fever (or no fever)
- Moderate rash (or no rash)
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Swollen glands
Remember, a viral sore throat is not curable with antibiotics, but they are absolutely necessary to cure a bacterial infection like strep. Keep reading to learn more about how to identify and manage strep throat.
How Can You Tell if You Have Strep Throat?
In contrast to a sore throat caused by a virus, strep throat is a bacterial infection that must be treated with antibiotics. The bacteria that causes strep, among other infections, is group A streptococcus, which is highly contagious. Strep can be passed to others if they breathe in or touch infected droplets from a cough or sneeze or if they ingest the droplets through shared eating utensils or drinking cups.
Strep throat symptoms usually begin suddenly. The sore throat can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms, including:
- Chills
- Difficulty swallowing
- General discomfort or ill feeling
- Headache
- High fever that begins suddenly
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Red throat that may have white patches
- Stomachache
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Know the Next Steps for Strep
The only way to know 100% if you have strep is to get a strep test done at your doctor's office. With a quick swab of your throat, your doctor can test for group A strep and start you on antibiotics immediately if you test positive.
Most people start to feel better within 1 to 2 days of starting antibiotics for strep throat. To prevent spreading the infection to others, stay home from work or school until you’re fever-free.
If you need to get tested for strep or could use some help soothing your sore throat, we’re here for you at AdventHealth. Find a physician today. You deserve to feel whole.
