You know what kind of sore throat you have by checking for accompanying symptoms like cough (viral) or white spots/fever without a cough (strep), but a doctor's visit with a throat swab is the only definitive way to tell viral (cold/flu) from bacterial (strep) infections, which need different treatments, says WebMD and GoHealth Urgent Care. Viral sore throats often have a runny nose, cough, and hoarseness, while strep throat presents with sudden pain, fever, swallowing difficulty, and sometimes pus on tonsils, notes Mayo Clinic and NHS inform.
Many different viral illnesses can cause sore throat. Some common ones are rhinovirus (common cold), flu, adenovirus, and coronaviruses, like COVID-19. These typically lead to redness and rawness in the back of the throat. One virus that really mimics strep throat is the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono.
The most common include viruses that cause sore throat as part of an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold. Other viruses that cause sore throat include influenza, enterovirus, adenovirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of mononucleosis).
Signs and symptoms of strep throat can include:
How to treat a sore throat yourself
Cough drops are considered safe to use during pregnancy, and ingredients including menthol and honey can help soothe your aching throat.
A common cause of sore throat is an infection from a virus, such as: a cold or the flu. COVID-19. glandular fever.
Go to urgent care if your sore throat is severe, lasts more than five days or comes with other symptoms like a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, or you have difficulty swallowing. Urgent care clinics provide quick diagnoses and treatments, including antibiotics if needed.
a swab test to see if bacteria are causing your tonsillitis (a cotton bud is used to wipe the back of your throat) a blood test for glandular fever if symptoms are severe or will not go away.
Stage 1: Early (Days 1 to 3)
Within one to three days of picking up a cold virus, you may notice a tickle in your throat. About half of all people with colds report a tickly or sore throat as their first symptom. Other common cold symptoms you may experience during this early stage include: Sneezing.
Using Heat Remedies for a Sore Throat
Steam (like from a hot shower) Warm beverages like decaffeinated tea or soup. Hot water with honey. Warm salt water gargle.
Overuse or irritants: You can strain your throat by yelling or screaming. You may also develop a sore throat if you eat spicy food, smoke or drink very hot liquids. Mouth breathing: You may have a sore throat if you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose when you're sleeping.
Consuming more than the recommended 12 cough drops in 24 hours can lead to menthol poisoning. Symptoms of menthol poisoning include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and trouble moving your eyes.
One major concern is tooth decay. Cough drops with sugar coat the teeth, allowing bacteria to produce acids that weaken enamel and cause cavities. Since saliva production decreases at night, the sugar lingers on teeth longer, increasing the risk of decay. Another issue is disrupted sleep.
Cough drops are considered safe to take during pregnancy. “As with everything, use the cough drops in moderation,” says Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman. “Like most medications and supplements, cough drops have not been studied in pregnancy.”
Over-the-counter medicines for sore throat relief
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) – relieves pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – good for pain relief, but doesn't reduce inflammation. Lozenges – may contain anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, or antiseptics to relieve pain and stimulate saliva.
Gargling with salt water: Salt water may decrease inflammation and make swallowing less painful. Mix 8 ounces (oz) of warm water with 1 teaspoon (tsp) of salt and gargle this solution several times a day. Sipping warm drinks: Warm drinks, such as herbal tea, may help decrease pain.
If you've been diagnosed with strep throat, replace your toothbrush within 24 hours of starting antibiotics. The streptococcus bacteria is particularly resilient and can easily cause reinfection. Similarly, after COVID-19, replace your brush once you've tested negative or your symptoms have completely resolved.
If you have strep throat, your throat and tonsils may appear red, sore and swollen. You may also have white patches, spots or streaks of pus on your throat and tonsils. In addition, you may develop tiny, red spots on the roof of your mouth called petechiae.