You may feel tired, hoarse, and unable to speak or eat normally if you have a sore throat. Most sore throats can be caused by viruses, and they usually go away on their own.
The bacteria that cause strep are treated with antibiotics. Physicians Medical Urgent Care in San Jose, California, is led by Dr. Sveltlana Burkhead, Dr. Ines Munoz de Laborde is an expert in diagnosing sore throats and strep infections.
You may want to visit our office for a quick test if you notice any of these five signs.
Hoarseness without a running nose, pink eye, or a sore throat
Most sore throats are caused by viral infections. They can also cause cold-like symptoms because viruses attack different parts of the respiratory tract.
It’s possible that you have a virus infection if your symptoms include a sore neck, a runny or stuffy nose, a cough, and pink eye. You may be prescribed some medications to relieve the symptoms, but most viral infections will resolve themselves with rest.
If you do not have any of these symptoms but still experience a sore or irritated throat, then it could be caused by group A Streptococci.
Swollen lymph glands in the neck
Your lymph nodes filter the lymphatic fluid, which is responsible for immune responses against infection. Your lymph nodes can become swollen or tender when you are infected.
Swollen lymphoid nodes in the neck can indicate a throat infection such as strep.
Tonsils with reddish-purple swellings and white streaks or patches
The strep bacteria can cause streaks of pus or white patches on the tonsils and throat. Viral infections can cause tonsil swelling tonsillitis, but they are unlikely to cause the white streaks or patches that are associated with strep.
Red spots on the roofs of the mouth
These tiny red bumps are called petechiae, and they’re a common sign of a strep infection. These bumps can be caused by small capillaries on the roof of your tongue leaking. They are usually caused by serious infections.
High fever or rash
High fevers are often associated with strep, while low fevers (less than 101) can be caused by viral sore throats. Untreated high fevers may lead to a condition known as rheumatic disease, which can have long-term effects on your body.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately. Scarlet fever is usually easily treated by antibiotics.
You can easily confuse viral sores throats with strep, but the two require different treatments. We can confirm strep with a simple throat swab and then send you home to treat the infection.
