Not all sore throats are created equal. Some may be caused by a cold. But lately, a lot of them can be blamed on Strep Throat.
Physician Assistant Troy Thielen at McLaren Greater Lansing Primary Care is seeing several cases of it. Symptoms include a sudden and severe sore throat that causes pain when swallowing. Strep usually causes a fever of more than 101 degrees, swollen lymph nodes, and eventually white or yellow patches on the tonsils or throat.
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics. You'll probably be contagious until you've been on them for at least 24 hours.
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen will help relieve the pain and fever. Gargling with warm salt water can help reduce the swelling in your throat.
Viral infections can cause a sore throat that's just as painful as strep. You probably don't have strep if you have cold symptoms like coughing, sneezing, congestion, or a runny nose.
You should see a doctor if you have a sore throat and a fever.
