Sore Throat and Strep Throat Q & A

A sore throat refers to scratchiness, irritation, or pain of the throat that usually worsens when you swallow.

Your sore throat could be caused by:

• Tonsillitis
• Strep throat
• A cold or the flu
• Mono
• Measles
• Chickenpox
• Allergies
• Dryness, such as dry indoor air
• Pollutants, such as tobacco smoke
• Straining of the throat muscles
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• HIV
• Cancerous tumors of the tongue, throat, or voice box
• Tissue abscess

You might also have sore and swollen glands in your jaw or neck, a hoarse or muffled voice, and swollen or red tonsils. If an infection is involved, you might also experience a fever, cough, sneezing, a runny nose, body aches, and headaches.

If you’re having difficulty breathing and experiencing severe symptoms, you should visit your local hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is caused by a certain bacterium called group A streptococcus or Streptococcus pyogenes. The bacteria normally reside in the lining of your nose and throat, but when your immune system is weakened, an infection can arise.

Strep throat symptoms tend to start quickly with a raw, sore, and scratchy throat. Other symptoms include:

• Painful swallowing
• Stomachache
• A fever
• Red, swollen tonsils
• White patches on the lining of your throat
• Tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Vomiting and nausea
• Rash

Strep throat is spread through close contact with another person who has strep throat.

How is a sore throat treated?

If your sore throat lasts longer than a few days or if you have other concerning symptoms, you should visit UrgentMed.

Your UrgentMed provider performs a thorough visual exam of the inside of your throat and mouth to identify any white patches at the back of your throat. Your provider uses a long cotton swab to collect a small tissue sample from the back of your throat.

Your tissue sample is tested for signs of strep bacteria with a rapid strep test on-site in less than 15 minutes. If you’re diagnosed with strep throat, your provider prescribes antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing your infection.

If your sore throat has another cause, such as the flu or mono, your UrgentMed provider might prescribe certain medications, recommend other treatments, or refer you to another specialist.

Don’t lose your voice with a sore throat when UrgentMed has solutions. Call, walk-in, or simply book online today.