how can you tell the difference between strep throat and just a regular soar throat?

Question

and also, normally when I get a sore throat its the first step of a cold... does strep come with a cold or is it just the sore throat?

Answer 1

In my experience....

Strep was accompanied by flu like symptoms (fever, achiness)
and I would get white spots on the back of my throat. And it would feel like my throat was swelling shut.

And a sore throat was only just that...

Answer 2

Hi Lissa, I have had strep throat several times. It is nothing like a cold, nor is it like a sore throat. First course of action would be to have a throat culture done by your physician. Some of the symptoms are redness and small white spots in the back of your throat. You would know if it was strep throat because one sign is that you can hardly talk and it is very painful to swallow even your own saliva. You will find that you cannot swallow so you will be bringing up allot of phlem which in turn makes your throat really sore. A fever is usually associated with strep throat also. Personally, I get ear aches with my strep throat. Homemade chicken soup broth soothes your throat if you drink it through a straw and ginger ale helps allot too. In fact try drinking all liquids through a straw as it is less painful. If you do have strep throat you will need to see your Doctor to start on antibiotics. I hope you feel better soon Lissa.
Suni

Answer 3

If you look down your throat with a small flashlight you will see white spots or white stripes right at the back, that is strep.
Any white like that could be an infection and you would need an antibiotic.
Just redness then its a sore throat

Answer 4

I think that the only way to know for sure is to have the doc give you a strep test. They just put a swab in the back of your throat and send it to the lab. After going through both many times, I can usually tell by the level and length of pain. If you can't hardly stand to swallow saliva even, it may well be strep. Hope you feel better soon!

Answer 5

Strep throat is characterized by white patches on or around your tonsils, extreme fatigue, fever, muscle and joint aches. Regular sore throat is not likely to make you sick as a dog, but strep throat sure will. You can test it in a lab by taking culture. If it is strep throat you need to take antibiotics that work against streptococci.

Answer 6

The back of your throatwill get white and trust me you will know the difference between a sore throat and strep.

Answer 7

there are sore throats due to many things: dryness, viruses, sinus drip. etc.
you cannot tell the difference between strep and just a sore throat
some people can fight off sore throats due to strep. it just depends on the person immunity and what is causing the sore throat.

Answer 8

Strep is bacterial infection that needs antibiotics to clear up. It causes white spots on the back of your throat. If it's not that and you just have general upper-respiratory, sinus or allergy symptoms....Post-nasal drip (drainage from sinuses) can cause a sore, scratchy throat. Take Benadryl at night to dry up your sinuses and drink LOTS of water. It thins out the mucus that is draining your throat, so it's not as irritating. Plus, it helps it to clear out faster.

Answer 9

When you have strep throat your cough is very deep i say for if it is louded then you can talk then it is strep and a soar throat is very light

Answer 10

PLEASE try these 3 remedies...EVERY time I feel run-down or get that tickly feeling in my throat I take these 3 things and it NEVER turns into a full-blown cold.

1)Herb Pharm Olive Leaf Extract in tincture form:
This is the one I buy -

http://www.nextag.com/Herb-Pharm-Olive-Leaf-66659849/prices-html

2) "JarrowDophilus", by "Jarrow Formulas"...it will keep the healthy "flora" in your body in perfect balance which keeps your immune system strong.

3) "Emergen-C" Vitamin C packets by "Alacer"

All three can be purchased at "Whole Foods Market", possibly "Trader Joe's", or call your local health food store to inquire about these 3 products.

EVERY friend and family member who has taken this advice, hardly ever gets sick.

For your throat: "Peaceful Mountain--Throat Rescue"
You will NEVER find a more powerful throat spray which is all-natural....soothing, fast acting, and kills bad bacteria on contact.

Cayenne Pepper in capsules (or sprinkled on soup) helps greatly with congestion AND is also an immune systen booster too....and drink lots of organic green tea to help your energy levels.

You'll see!! :) Get well soon!

I've been in the Alternative Medicine field for some time now, and offer individualized consultations:

http://www.kasamba.com/Wellness-Coach