Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate) Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck. Fever.
See your doctor as soon as possible if your sore throat lasts longer than one week or is accompanied by:
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).
Swelling, redness, and white patches are common symptoms of strep throat. Less common symptoms, especially for children, may include: Headache. Nausea or vomiting.
Overview. In addition to the soreness, pharyngitis may also cause changes you can see, like redness, swelling and white patches in your throat.
“Sore throats are very common. While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor.”
See a GP if:
you have a sore throat and symptoms like a lump in your mouth or neck, or a mouth ulcer that lasts for more than 3 weeks.
Symptoms of sepsis can include fever, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion or disorientation, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have sepsis, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Viral illnesses that can cause sore throat that may be mistaken for strep throat include:
This combination of symptoms may be GERD/reflux, strep pharyngitis (especially in kids), viral pharyngitis, tonsillitis, gastroenteritis, food poisoning with vomiting, and alcohol overuse/abuse.
If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash, or heart valve damage.
See your doctor as soon as possible if your child's sore throat lasts longer than one week or is accompanied by: Fever. Red, swollen tonsils. White patches or pus on the back of the throat.
Seek ER treatment if the cough or sore throat is accompanied by: Difficulty breathing. Shortness of breath. High fever.
A sore throat, which is most commonly viewed as a minor ailment, can be a manifestation of a life-threatening disorder known as Lemierre's syndrome caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum.
Here are five red flags to watch for if your sore throat isn't healing.
Infectious mononucleosis causes a sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, and fatigue. The throat may appear red and the tonsils covered with a whitish material. Mononucleosis and severe streptococcal tonsillitis appear quite similar.
Many viral illnesses cause a sore throat such as:
Strep throat and COVID-19 can both cause a sore throat. Strep and COVID-19 have different origins, which also causes them to require different treatment strategies. It's possible to have strep and COVID-19 at the same time.
Symptoms of sepsis
Fast, shallow breathing. Sweating for no clear reason. Feeling lightheaded. Shivering.
If strep throat symptoms progress to the point where breathing becomes labored or you experience shortness of breath, immediate emergency medical care is necessary.
(Pharyngitis; Tonsillitis; Tonsillopharyngitis)
Infections of the throat and/or tonsils are common, particularly among children. Throat infections are usually caused by a virus but may be caused by bacteria such as streptococcal bacteria. Symptoms include severe pain when swallowing and swollen, red tonsils.
In most cases, your sore throat will improve with at-home treatment. However, it's time to see your doctor if a severe sore throat and a fever over 101 degrees lasts longer than one to two days; you have difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids; or a red rash appears.
Yes. Strep throat is very contagious. Some people with the infection don't have symptoms or look sick. But even if you don't have symptoms, you can still easily spread the infection to others.