Both strep throat and a sore throat share many similar symptoms, such as discomfort and irritation. But you need to know what you're dealing with to get the most effective treatment. Here, a pharmacist explains the difference

Do you have strep throat, or a sore throat?

It can often be confusing to know, as both share many common symptoms such as discomfort and irritation. A sore throat, also known as pharyngitis, is a broad term used to describe the inflammation of the throat, typically resulting from viral infections such as the common cold or flu.

It can also be caused by environmental factors like dry air, irritants, or excessive shouting. Symptoms of a sore throat include pain or discomfort when swallowing, scratchiness or rawness in the throat, and sometimes hoarseness or a dry cough. Sore throats are often accompanied by other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and mild body aches.

On the other hand, strep throat is a specific type of sore throat caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium, also known as group A streptococcus. Unlike viral sore throats, strep throat requires antibiotic treatment to prevent potential complications such as rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. While strep throat shares many symptoms with a viral sore throat, such as pain with swallowing and throat redness, there are some distinguishing features. Strep throat may also present with fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, headache, and in some cases, white patches or pus on the tonsils.

Sore throats are more likely to appear during winter months due to the cold air and spreading of germs, but they can also appear at other times of the year. While a common sore throat usually clears up within a week, sometimes it can signal another condition like strep throat.

Here, Superdrug’s Pharmacy Superintendent Niamh McMillan, breaks down the differences between strep throat and a sore throat and when you need to seek help.

Severity

“A sore throat usually heals within a week and may have milder symptoms than strep throat. With strep throat there are other symptoms such as finding it difficult to swallow and red and swollen tonsils, all of which aren’t symptoms of a regular sore throat.”

Lymph glands

“Another symptom of strep throat is swollen lymph glands, so to check if yours are swollen, gently press around the neck and near the side of your face. Swollen lymph glands will feel like a lump and may be tender to touch.”

Fever

“Other symptoms that usually appear with strep throat, and not a sore throat, is a fever, so make sure to monitor changes in your temperature. Sometimes, people who have a sore throat can have other illnesses such as cold and flu which can also have fever symptoms, so it’s best to be vigilant and watch out for all symptoms listed, or speak to a healthcare professional for a second opinion.”

Headache and stomach pain

“There are some less common symptoms of strep throat such as a headache and stomach pain, so if you have these in addition to previously mentioned symptoms, please seek help from your GP.”

When and how to seek help

“A sore throat can be uncomfortable so even if you’re positive you don’t have strep throat, then you can still head to a pharmacy where a pharmacist will be able to review your symptoms and, if suitable, supply medication to help ease the discomfort. At Superdrug pharmacies in England we provide a sore throat service as part of the newly launched Pharmacy First service.”