The Difference Between Sore Throat and Strep Throat
Although strep throat causes your throat to hurt, it is not the same thing as a sore throat. The two illnesses have some things in common; however, strep throat has a different set of symptoms.
What Causes Sore Throat?
In most cases, viruses, colds, and allergies are the culprits behind sore throats. If you suffer from a cough, runny nose, sinus drainage, sneezing and itchy or watery eyes, you likely do not have strep throat. According to LiveWell, most causes of sore throats are treatable at home with over-the-counter medicines. However, if your sore throat persists, you may need to seek advice from an ENT doctor.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strep throat is not accompanied by a cough. Instead, symptoms are likely to occur suddenly and may include the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Painful Swallowing
- Swollen Tonsils
- White Spots in back of Throat
While there are many causes of sore throats, there is only one bacteria responsible for strep throat. This bacteria is known as group A Streptococcus. If you suspect that you may have strep throat, you can schedule an appointment with a sore throat doctor.
Strep throat causes severe throat pain; however, it is not the same thing as a sore throat. The two conditions are caused by different viruses and bacteria, but they come with a different set of symptoms. If you are suffering from fever, throat pain and headache, visit your doctor for a strep test. If you have a runny nose, sore throat and sneeze, you are likely suffering from a cold or sinuses, causing your throat to hurt. However, with COVID in our midst, it is best to get tested and quarantine if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.