Most times, when we get this scratchy sensation in our throat, we attribute it to several things. It could be a cold, burns from eating hot food, or sore from being overused. The one cause that is often overlooked is streptococcus infection, also known as strep throat. This is usually because of the many similarities in the symptoms of strep throat and a sore throat.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria called “Streptococcus pyogenes” that causes your tonsils to get inflamed, leading to a sore throat. Strep throat is often spread by coming in contact with fluids or droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneezes. It can also be spread by touching an object already contaminated by strep bacteria.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

• An inflamed throat
• White patches on the already red throat
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Fever
• Headache etc.

You can only be sure you’ve got strep throat after getting a doctor’s diagnosis, usually after a strep test is done.

How To Get A Strep Test Diagnosis

You should see a doctor as soon as you notice other accompanying symptoms along with your sore throat to get a proper diagnosis done. The doctor will run some tests on your throat and try to align them with your symptoms. The strep test is carried out to confirm the presence or absence of strep bacteria.

Strep Throat Treatment

Because bacteria usually cause strep throat, it is imperative to get medical treatment for it, unlike a sore throat where the virus goes off on its own. Since the inception of strep bacteria, the solution to killing it off has always been antibiotics. Antibiotics restrain the bacteria from spreading and then eventually kill it off. A doctor’s prescription is needed to get the right antibiotics without dealing with side effects or allergies.

A tip to help eradicate the bacteria completely is to finish the dosage prescribed by the doctor to avoid a relapse.

Differences between a Strep Throat and a Sore Throat

Because of the similarities between strep throat symptoms and sore throat symptoms, patients often have a hard time identifying which is which without a diagnosis. If you cannot get to a physician to get tested quickly, it’s advisable to watch out for the following differences.

1. Sore throats are caused by viral infections, while strep throats are caused by bacterial infections.
2. Sore throat is usually a symptom of illnesses like the flu or cold, while strep throat is an illness on its own.
3. A cold-caused sore throat doesn’t come along with fever. On the other hand, strep throats always come alongside a fever; the fever indicates an underlying problem.
4. Strep throat causes headaches.
5. The throat gets inflamed with a sore throat; however, white patches are usually a symptom of strep throat.