A sore throat can make swallowing uncomfortable and leave you reaching for tea and cough drops all day long. But when it comes to strep throat vs. sore throat, knowing the difference matters.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as the common cold or the flu, and usually get better on their own. Strep throat, on the other hand, is a bacterial infection that is highly contagious and often requires antibiotics.
So, how can you tell if you have strep throat vs. sore throat? There are a few key differences that can help you know when it's time to get tested for strep.
Strep throat is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and tends to come on quickly. Unlike a viral sore throat, which often develops gradually alongside cold symptoms, strep throat usually causes sudden throat pain.
Common strep throat symptoms include:
One important clue is what symptoms are typically not present. People with strep throat usually don’t have common cold symptoms, such as:
While these differences can help point toward strep throat, they aren't enough to make a diagnosis. Many illnesses can cause a sore throat, and the only way to know for sure whether you have strep is with a rapid strep test or throat culture from a healthcare provider.
When comparing strep throat vs. sore throat, the biggest difference is the cause. A sore throat is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It can happen for many reasons, including:
Strep throat is one specific cause of a sore throat, and it's caused by bacteria.
Here's how they typically compare:
If you're asking yourself, "How can you tell if you have strep throat?" consider the overall pattern of your symptoms. A sudden sore throat with fever, swollen lymph nodes and no cough is more likely to be strep than a sore throat that comes on slowly with typical cold symptoms.
That said, it can be difficult to determine the cause of your sore throat based on symptoms alone. If your healthcare provider suspects strep throat, they'll likely recommend testing before prescribing antibiotics.
If you're wondering what strep throat looks like, you're not alone. While you can't diagnose strep throat by appearance alone, certain changes in your throat and tonsils can make your healthcare provider more suspicious that strep is the cause.
There are several signs healthcare providers look for during an exam. Your throat and tonsils may appear:
You may also notice tiny red spots, called petechiae, on the roof of your mouth. In addition, the lymph nodes along the front of your neck may feel swollen or tender when you touch them.
Keep in mind that other viral infections can also cause redness or white patches in the throat. That's why it's important not to rely on appearance alone or assume you need antibiotics based on what you see.
Strep throat is contagious and spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. You can also pick up the bacteria by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your nose or mouth.
People are generally most contagious while they're sick and before they begin antibiotic treatment.
If you're diagnosed with strep throat, take a few precautions to protect those around you:
Not everyone who is exposed to strep bacteria will get sick, but taking these precautions can help reduce the spread to family members, classmates and coworkers.
If you think you might have strep throat, don't try to diagnose it yourself based on symptoms. The best next step is to see a healthcare provider, especially if you have:
Your doctor may perform a rapid strep test, which can provide results in minutes. If the rapid test is negative but your doctor still suspects strep throat, especially in children, they may recommend a throat culture.
If you test positive, antibiotics can:
Even after starting antibiotics, it's important to finish the entire prescription, even if you begin feeling better after a day or two.
In the meantime, there are things you can do at home to help ease discomfort. Drink plenty of fluids, get extra rest, gargle with warm salt water and consider over-the-counter pain relievers or throat lozenges as directed by your healthcare provider.
Most cases of strep throat improve with prompt treatment, but some symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.
Seek urgent care or emergency care if you have:
Most sore throats are caused by viruses and improve with time, but strep throat is different. Because it's caused by bacteria, it often requires testing and treatment with antibiotics.
If you develop a sudden sore throat along with fever, swollen lymph nodes and painful swallowing—especially without a cough or runny nose—it's a good idea to be evaluated. Getting the right diagnosis can help you reduce the spread to others and feel better faster.
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