Sore Throat or Strep? Here's How You Tell the Difference

Waking up with a painful, scratchy throat can instantly ruin your morning and leave you wondering if you need medical care. While most throat pain comes from a common cold virus, some cases are caused by a highly contagious bacterial infection known as strep throat.

At Express Lane Urgent Care in Turlock, California, Stephen Wesely, MD, and our dedicated team help you quickly find the cause of your discomfort. We offer rapid testing for strep throat to ensure you get the right treatment without the long wait times of an emergency room.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP, 2024), group A Streptococcus bacteria cause only about 10% of adult sore throats. This means the vast majority of sore throats are viral and won't respond to antibiotics. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2024) reports that group A strep infections have recently exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the United States, making accurate diagnosis more important than ever. Here’s what you need to know.

Key differences between a sore throat and strep throat

You can tell the difference between a viral sore throat and strep throat by looking for specific accompanying symptoms. Viral sore throats usually come with a cough, runny nose, and hoarseness, while strep throat typically causes sudden, severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and a high fever without any cold symptoms. 

If you look in the mirror, you might also notice red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus. You may also feel tender, swollen lymph nodes, which are the small glands in your neck that help fight infection, along the front of your neck.

Home remedies for throat pain and common myths

While you wait to see a provider, you can manage your discomfort at home with a few simple remedies. Gargling with warm salt water can help reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can ease your throat pain. 

There is also a common myth that getting your tonsils removed means you can never get strep throat again. While tonsillectomy, which is the surgical removal of the tonsils, can reduce how often you get sick, you can still contract strep throat in other tissues of your throat.

When to seek urgent care for your throat pain

Because viral and bacterial infections look so similar, a rapid swab test is the only way to know for sure what is causing your pain. If you have a sudden sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing, it is time to get checked. 

Our clinic provides rapid testing with results in just 10 to 15 minutes, allowing us to prescribe antibiotics immediately if you test positive. Contact our team or walk in today to get the fast, compassionate care you deserve.