A sore throat that feels like strep but isn't is often a viral infection, like the common cold, flu, or COVID-19, which cause redness and pain but usually come with cough or runny nose, unlike strep's sudden, painful onset without cough; another mimic is mononucleosis (mono), causing severe throat inflammation, fatigue, and swollen glands. Tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils) or irritants like allergies/acid reflux (GERD) can also cause similar symptoms without being strep throat, highlighting the need for a doctor's diagnosis.
These include common cold viruses, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza (the "flu"), croup, mononucleosis (“mono”), measles, and chickenpox.
Sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies or other upper respiratory tract illness. Most sore throats will get better on their own within one week.
Swelling, redness, and white patches are common symptoms of strep throat. Less common symptoms, especially for children, may include: Headache. Nausea or vomiting.
For example, an abscess may form during or shortly after strep throat. In this case, a person may notice that their symptoms do not get better, get worse, or recur. New symptoms like swelling in the neck or face, trouble swallowing even saliva, or difficulty opening the mouth may also develop.
The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck). A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads.
Common symptoms of a sinus infection include:
It's also not uncommon for children to experience gastrointestinal issues as the first sign of strep throat. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain may indicate the contagious disease.
PANDAS symptoms could start soon after a strep infection or may take months to appear. In some cases, antibiotics may not completely eliminate a strep infection, and lingering bacteria may provoke a sudden onset of PANDAS symptoms well after a child's case of strep throat seems to have been resolved.
Symptoms can be many and can include:
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.
There are many common viruses that cause pharyngitis, including rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus ( COVID ) and flu ( influenza virus).
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.
Two frequent culprits, mononucleosis (mono) and strep throat, can look similar at first glance. Both cause throat pain, fatigue, and swollen glands, yet their causes and treatments couldn't be more different.
Strep throat infection
This photo of strep throat shows inflammation and red spots, caused by the infection. It's possible for you or your child to have many of these signs and symptoms but not have strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms could be a viral infection or some other illness.
How are PANS and PANDAS diagnosed?
Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune reaction to the strep bacteria. An autoimmune reaction is when the body attacks its own tissues. It can be prevented if strep throat is diagnosed right away and treated correctly with antibiotics. Rheumatic fever is not common in the U.S.
Can I sleep next to someone with strep throat? It's best to avoid close contact, including sleeping next to an infected person, to reduce the risk of transmission.
Strep Throat Symptoms
Gargle with Salt Water
Gargling warm salt water (about half a teaspoon in a cup of warm water) several times a day can reduce swelling, kill bacteria, and provide quick comfort.
Yes, strep throat can often resolve on its own, as the body fights off the Streptococcus bacteria, but it's generally not recommended to skip antibiotics because untreated strep carries serious risks like rheumatic fever (causing heart damage), kidney inflammation, and abscesses, and antibiotics quickly relieve symptoms and stop spreading the highly contagious infection. While symptoms may improve in a few days without treatment, the bacteria can linger, causing complications and making you contagious for longer (up to three weeks), whereas antibiotics clear the infection within about 24 hours.
Sinus infections and COVID-19 can both cause congestion and sore throats, but COVID-19 often presents with additional symptoms like body aches and loss of smell. Understanding the key differences between COVID and a sinus infection can help with getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
Acute sinusitis symptoms often include: Thick, yellow or greenish mucus from the nose, known as a runny nose, or down the back of the throat, known as postnasal drip. Blocked or stuffy nose, known as congestion.
How else can I get rid of a sinus infection naturally?