Unfortunately, sore throats are a common ailment experienced regularly by adults. The most common cause of a sore throat is a virus. A sore throat caused by a virus is usually accompanied by other cold symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, and watery eyes. Besides a virus or infection, a sore throat can also be caused by smoking, air pollution, allergies, or acid reflux. A sore throat that is accompanied by a fever should be treated a bit differently than other sore throats. Below is information on the difference between a sore throat caused by a cold vs. strep throat and what to do if you have a sore throat with a fever.
A Sore Throat With A Cold
If you have a sore throat caused by a virus, there is not much you can do except wait for the virus to pass. There are a few treatments you can try to help reduce your discomfort, including drinking warm tea, gargling salt water, or taking an over-the-counter medicine. It is also important to get rest, eat healthy, and drink plenty of water and fluids.
Is Your Sore Throat Caused by Strep Throat?
A sore throat that is more severe and accompanied by a fever may be caused by strep throat. Strep throat is an infection caused by the streptococcus bacteria. To determine if your sore throat is strep throat, you will need to have your doctor perform a rapid strep test or a throat swab. Besides a fever and sore throat, other symptoms and signs of strep include white spots in the throat area and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The symptoms of a cold and strep throat can be very similar, and you may be confused on what actions you should take. If you think you have symptoms of strep throat, including a fever, you should contact your healthcare provider. If left untreated, strep throat can cause more serious illnesses, such as rheumatic fever. With proper treatment, which usually includes antibiotics, strep throat is resolved within 10 days.
Treatments for Strep Throat
The most common and effective way to treat strep throat is with antibiotics, which kill the infection causing bacteria. Penicillin and amoxicillin are two of the most common antibiotics used to treat strep throat, however other options are available for those with allergies.
If you receive antibiotics for your strep throat it is important that you follow your provider's instructions, which usually includes taking all of the medication, even if you feel better. To avoid spreading the illness to others, a person with strep throat should isolate until 24 hours after starting their antibiotic treatment.
If you have a sore throat with a fever that lasts for more than 24 hours, you should contact your healthcare provider. If you have seen your doctor and have strep throat that is not getting better, you need to let your healthcare provider know right away. You should also let your provider know if you have any other symptoms, including a prolonged fever after taking antibiotics, vomiting, neck stiffness, a skin rash, shortness of breath, or painful joints.