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Strep Throat Vs. Sore Throat: Which Is It?

Most sore throats (medically known as pharyngitis) are caused by viruses, but one variety—caused by bacteria from Group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes)—can have lasting effects if not treated properly. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes 1 out of 10 sore throats in adults and 3 out of 10 in children.

It can be tricky to tell the difference between "regular" sore throats and strep, but the appearance of your throat and pain severity may help you decide whether to let it run its course or see a provider for testing and treatment.

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Strep Throat vs. Sore Throat vs. Normal Throat  Throat and Inflammation Appearance A healthy throat is pink, moist, and not painful. When you have a sore throat, the inside of your mouth, throat, and the lymph nodes around your head and neck can become inflamed and swollen. Sometimes, the inside of your mouth may also appear swollen and red from inflammation. Strep throat can appear similar, but tiny red spots called petechiae on the roof of your mouth or white patches on your tonsils are telltale signs of a strep throat infection. Sore throats can develop suddenly from injury or irritation, and viral sore throats can develop throughout an illness, such as a cold. In the case of strep throat, you will usually start to notice symptoms between two and five days after exposure to Group A strep. Sensations and Pain Intensity  How your throat feels can also give you clues about what's causing it. A sore throat often develops with a cold and improves in about a week. In comparison, strep throat usually appears very quickly with painful swallowing. Instead of noticing differences in pain and sensation, you might notice symptoms in other areas of the body when you have strep throat. Sore Throat Dryness Hoarseness Painful swallowing Scratchy feeling Different Causes Viruses are the primary cause of sore throats, but allergies, a dry environment, and smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke can also trigger them. You may also experience a sore throat after straining or overusing your voice or from a traumatic injury, such as swallowing hot liquids or foods that scratch your throat. Strep, on the other hand, has just one cause: Group A strep. Group A strep is highly contagious, and symptoms usually appear two to five days after exposure to the bacterium. How to Relieve Throat Pain With Strep vs. Soreness  There are many home remedies and self-care options to soothe a sore throat, including: These same treatments could soothe soreness caused by a strep infection, but prescription antibiotics are necessary to effectively treat strep throat and prevent complications. Healthcare providers typically prescribe penicillins and clindamycin to treat strep throat. When to Consider Antibiotics  If you think you have strep throat, go to urgent care or schedule a sick visit with your primary care provider for resting. They will swab the back of your throat and use that sample to determine if Group A strep is present. If so, you'll need antibiotics to treat the strep throat infection. Sore throats caused by injury, irritation, allergies, or viral infections should not be treated with antibiotics. More than half of all outpatient antibiotics in the United States are prescribed inappropriately for things like viral upper respiratory infections and skin conditions. You can develop antibiotic resistance when you take antibiotics for nonbacterial conditions. When this occurs, bacteria build up an immunity to the drugs designed to kill them, and they don't work as well over time. Without careful prescribing and use of antibiotics, superbugs resistant to many antibiotics will become more common and dangerous. Sore Throat, Strep, or Something Else? If you have tried home remedies, tested negative for strep, and continue to have a sore throat that isn't improving, a healthcare provider may check for other conditions that could appear with a sore throat like: It's important to identify the actual cause of your sore throat to prevent ongoing infection and complications. Post-Infection Complications A sore throat that is left untreated or takes a long time to resolve can lead to a wide range of complications—often due to the cause rather than the sore throat itself. These complications may include things like: Blood clots Chronic irritation Lemierre's syndrome (an infected blood clot in a vein) Severe infection or sepsis Group A strep can cause lasting complications, too. Complications of untreated or ineffectively treated strep throat include: Abscesses (pockets of pus) in tonsils or the neck Ear infection Kidney damage Rheumatic fever Scarlet fever Sinus infection Summary A sore throat is a symptom of many infections and some chronic conditions. If your sore throat is severe and unrelenting and causes spots to appear on the roof of your mouth or tonsils, you should see a healthcare provider to be tested for Group A strep (strep throat). Group A strep requires antibiotic treatment to prevent dangerous complications, but sore throats can often be eased with supportive care like cold liquids and lozenges. 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Martin JM. Sore throat (pharyngitis). Antimicrobe. N.D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About strep throat. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Sore throat basics. Avcı D, Bayar Muluk N, Hao SP. Pharyngitis. In: Cingi, C, Yorgancıoğlu, A, Bayar Muluk, N. Cruz, A.A. (eds) Airway Diseases. Springer, Cham. 2023. Doi:10.1007/978-3-031-22483-6_32-1 Perry M. The throat: Part II - Inflammation, infections and the acutely painful throat. Diseases and Injuries to the Head, Face and Neck. Springer, Cham. 2021. Doi:10.1007/978-3-030-53099-0_31 Coutinho G, Duerden M, Sessa A, Caretta-Barradas S, Altiner A. Worldwide comparison of treatment guidelines for sore throat. IJCP. 2020. Doi:10.1111/ijcp.13879 Johnson AF, LaRock CN. Antibiotic treatment, mechanisms for failure, and adjunctive therapies for infections by group A streptococcus. Front. Microbiol. 2021. Doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.760255. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About group A strep infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outpatient antibiotic prescribing in the United States. Young EH, Panchal RM, Yap AG, Reveles KR. National trends in oral antibiotics prescribing in United States physician offices from 2009 to 2016. Pharmacotherapy. August 2020;40(10):1012-1021. Doi:10.1002/phar.2456. By Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RNZimlich is a critical care nurse who has been writing about health care and clinical developments for over 10 years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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How To Cure A Cold For Free As Cost Of Medicine Doubles

Healthcare experts have explained simple ways to reduce the symptoms of a cold - or make sure it doesn't last too long - as the price of over-the-counter medication has doubled. UK adults get an average of two to four colds per year and children six to 10 annually and Google searches for "how to get rid of a cold" have rocketed by 600% in the past week.

But the price of cold and flu medication has almost doubled in price, with Lemsip's Mucus, Cough and Catarrh costing £8 in some shops. Two in five adults now also ask for a GP appointment for minor health issues like colds.

Care expert Lee Cartwright at Mobility Solutions Direct said: "While certain cold and flu medication increases in price, there are many effective and affordable ways to treat your sickness at home. One of the most crucial steps is to prioritise rest, staying hydrated, and even stretching, which can significantly boost your body's ability to fight off the virus and recover quickly."

Gargle salt water: "Gargling salt water is a cheap way to relieve the effects of a cold. It may not be the most pleasant option, but salt water helps loosen thick mucus, clearing out irritants in your throat. It should be done ideally before bed as it keeps a cold from getting worse. For the best results, mix half a tablespoon of salt into 250ml of warm water. Gargle the solution at the back of your throat for as long as you can. The warm water should make the experience gentler on your throat."

Sleep with two pillows: "Improving your sleep quality when you have a cold is important because your body needs enough rest so that it can fight off any infections. However, sleeping can be challenging if you're congested. Lying flat can cause mucus to build up. Instead, raise your head with an extra pillow. The elevation will alleviate sinus pressure and improve your breathing, allowing you to sleep more comfortably. Use up to two pillows, as any more will cause your head to tilt too forward, making it more difficult to breathe."

Stretch your head and neck: "When our sinuses are congested because of a cold, the tension in our neck and jaw can increase. If you want to recover as soon as possible, take a couple of minutes in the day to stretch the muscles in your jaw or neck. Sit upright and place your hands behind your head, lowering your chin to your chest. Gently press down on your head, turn your head to the right, to the centre and then to the left and repeat the process. The simple stretch can speed up your recovery from a cold and also energise you for the rest of the day."

Inhale steam: "Inhaling steam can loosen mucus in your sinuses so it drains easier, helping to get rid of your cold quickly. This can be done at home by leaning over a bowl of steaming hot water with a towel over your head. Breathe in the steam slowly to soothe and open the nasal passages. If possible, do this before bed and add essential oils like lavender, to help you relax and sleep later."

Drink lots of fluids: "Simply drinking lots of fluids can speed up your recovery from a cold. Your immune system is working harder when you have a virus, so fluids like water are vital to support your health. Staying hydrated is particularly important because water is a vital component of lymphatic fluid, which carries white blood cells throughout the body to eliminate toxins, bacteria, and viruses that can cause symptoms."

Can Allergies Make You More Prone To Common Cold? Expert Insights

A runny nose, sore throat, or persistent cough can signal either an allergy or a cold, as both conditions affect the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose, mouth, sinuses, and voice box. The primary function of this system is to bring air into the body and direct it toward the lungs. However, when exposed to external irritants, the upper respiratory tract may react with inflammation, whether due to an infection, in the case of a cold, or an allergic response.

But what if you already have an allergy? Can it cause or increase your risk of a cold? How can we tell the two apart, and what can we do to prevent the symptoms? If these questions keep crossing your mind, keep reading to find the answers.

Also Read: Dealing With Viral Fever Infections: Here Are Tips To Manage And Prevent Seasonal Flu

Allergy Versus Cold

Differentiating between an allergy and a cold, Dr Sunil Rana, Associate Director and Head - Internal Medicine, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, says, "Colds are caused by your immune system responding to a virus, whereas seasonal allergies are caused by the immune system's reaction to allergens like pollen."

"Allergic rhinitis symptoms appear quickly upon exposure to a trigger, but typical cold symptoms do not appear until 2-3 days after viral contact," he tells OnlyMyHealth, adding that common cold symptoms normally subside on their own within 3-14 days; however, allergic rhinitis symptoms might last indefinitely if contact with the allergen is not reduced.

One may also experience body pain with a cold, while allergic rhinitis is more likely to cause itchy, watery eyes.

Can Allergies Lead To A Cold?

While an allergy itself does not cause a cold, it can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, says Dr Rana. This is because chronic allergic reactions, particularly those affecting the nasal passages, can increase your vulnerability to catching a cold by creating a more inflamed and irritated environment, which can become a breeding ground for infections.

Dr Rana says that the opposite can also be true, where certain viruses can overstimulate your immune system, causing allergies and asthma.

Symptoms Of Allergy That May Overlap With Cold Symptoms

As per the doctor, the major symptoms and frequency with which they arise distinguish between a cold and a seasonal allergy. 

Some cold symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing, are similar to those of allergies. But there are some differences—people with seasonal allergies, for example, seldom get a sore throat or cough. However, viral infections frequently induce these symptoms.

People with seasonal allergies seldom develop fevers, although those with a cold do.

Additionally, symptoms of a seasonal allergy include swollen eyes and black marks under your eyes.

Also Read: Allergies In Children: Expert Lists Common Triggers, Reactions, And Management Tips

Treatment Options

Over-the-counter and prescription allergy treatments are additional options for treating your allergies. These might include:

Antihistamine nasal sprays are quite effective and safe to use on a regular basis, although they might take several days to a week to take effect.

Decongestants should be used with caution for treating allergies owing to the increased adverse effects and concerns about long-term usage. 

Asthma treatments include inhaled and oral bronchodilators, as well as inhaled steroids. 

If you are unable to control your allergy symptoms with over-the-counter and prescription drugs and allergen avoidance, your healthcare practitioner may prescribe immunotherapy (allergy injections) and/or sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops), says Dr Rana.

He also recommends nasal irrigation with saline, which involves a neti pot, a non-prescription device that delivers a saline (salt) solution into your nasal passages. It aids in the removal of mucus and allergens that become stuck in your nasal passages.

How To Prevent Allergies And Cold

Preventing and protecting yourself against colds and allergies involve various strategies.

Dr Rana says, "To manage allergies, avoid allergens, take prescribed medicines, and carry an epinephrine auto-injector for severe reactions. Track symptoms, wear a medical alert bracelet, and follow an emergency plan. To prevent colds and the flu, eat green vegetables, get enough vitamin D, exercise regularly, sleep well, avoid alcohol, manage stress, and drink green tea."

He concludes by emphasising the importance of practising good hygiene by washing hands often, covering coughs, and disinfecting surfaces. Moreover, one must get a flu vaccine annually.

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