Strep Throat & Sore Throat

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is often a symptom of strep throat, colds, flu, or COVID-19. It often causes discoloration and pain in your throat, especially when you swallow. 

Strep throat is a common infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Not treating strep throat can lead to complications, such as rheumatic fever. See the experts at WestsideMed at the first sign of a problem for strep testing and treatment recommendations. 

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

Strep throat may present as:

• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Red throat or tonsils
• White patches on your throat or tonsils
• Fever 
• Chills
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Reduced appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tender or swollen lymph nodes
• Rash (scarlet fever)

Strep throat doesn’t usually cause a cough. If you do start coughing, you might have a viral infection instead of strep throat. 

Some people with strep throat don’t notice any obvious symptoms. 

How does strep throat spread?

Strep throat is highly contagious. It most commonly appears in children ages 5-15. However, anyone can develop it. Strep throat is passed through direct contact or respiratory droplets from coughing, talking, or sneezing. 

Sharing personal items and touching strep bacteria and then touching your nose or mouth is another way to contract strep throat and a sore throat. 

After contracting strep throat, symptoms typically develop within 2-5 days. People who take antibiotics for strep throat are no longer contagious after 24-48 hours of beginning their medication.

How are strep throats and sore throats diagnosed?

Your WestsideMed provider examines your throat, discusses your medical history, and reviews your symptoms to learn if you might have strep throat. They use a throat swab to detect or rule out strep and other causes of a sore throat and determine the most appropriate treatment.

Rapid strep tests take just 20 minutes. If the test is negative, your provider might send your swab to a lab to confirm the results. 

How are strep throats and sore throats treated?

Strep throat treatment at WestMed may include taking antibiotics to eliminate strep bacteria. You might receive a prescription medication or an antibiotic shot. 

Continue to take your medication exactly as directed until the medication is gone, even if you start to feel better soon after beginning treatment. Other ways to recover from strep throat and similar illnesses include drinking plenty of fluids and getting a lot of rest. 

You can often return to work or school when you are fever-free and 24 hours after taking the first dose of an antibiotic. 

Schedule a strep throat and sore throat evaluation at WestsideMed by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.