During the winter season, it is not uncommon to find yourself coughing. Coughing is a very common illness symptom that is often associated with viral infections such as colds. If you are experiencing a cough, it could be the result of a variety of different illnesses. Although coughing can be a sign of a harmless cold, can a cough indicate a more serious illness like strep throat? Learn about common causes of a cough and when to seek medical care for a cough. If you have a cough, get same-day illness diagnosis and treatment near Lakewood, Genesee & Morrison, CO, by visiting AFC Urgent Care Lakewood.
What Causes a Cough
Coughing can occur due to a variety of reasons. In some cases, coughing can be triggered by irritation to the throat, such as swallowing funny, post-nasal drip or just by being dry. Coughing is a natural reflex, which occurs to clear your airways in order to protect the lungs from being exposed to irritants. In many cases, coughing is successful, however sometimes an infection can cause a lingering cough due to a bacteria or virus successfully reaching your lungs.
There are a variety of different types of bacterial or viral infections that can cause you to cough. The kind of cough and severity of your cough can help rule out certain illnesses. Viral coughs tend to be more mild and dry while bacterial coughs are generally more severe and more likely to cause a productive cough. Discovering what exactly is causing your cough can help you effectively treat it.
Can Strep Throat Cause Coughing?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection which affects your upper respiratory system. This mostly includes your throat, however, you can have additional symptoms from strep throat.
Common strep throat symptoms include:
- Red and irritated sore throat
- Pain while swallowing
- Swollen tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes
- White spots on tonsils
- Fever
- Headache
- Bad breath
Strep throat can cause you to experience a severe sore throat. However, strep throat does not usually cause a cough. In some cases, coughing can occur due to the discomfort in your throat, but strep throat does not typically cause a lingering or persistent cough to occur.
Strep Throat Diagnosis & Treatment Near Morrison, CO
Strep throat is a bacterial infection which can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including a painful sore throat. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of strep throat, you should seek medical care. Diagnostic testing is the only way to verify that strep throat is causing your symptoms. Seeking medical diagnosis when your symptoms are still mild can help prevent them from worsening.
Strep throat requires a medical diagnosis and professional medical treatment. Bacterial infections can be difficult for your body to fight off on its own. Your medical provider will perform diagnostic testing to determine whether strep throat is causing your symptoms. If strep throat is the cause of your symptoms, your medical provider will review treatment options available and symptom management tips. In most cases, strep throat requires a round of antibiotics for treatment.
Get Same-Day Illness Diagnosis & Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Lakewood
Strep throat can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. However, strep throat does not usually cause a cough. If you are experiencing the symptoms of strep throat, you should seek medical care for diagnosis and treatment. AFC Urgent Care Lakewood offers patients in Lakewood, CO, and the surrounding communities with same-day illness diagnosis and treatment services. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk into the clinic.
Our clinic is state-of-the-art and equipped with a laboratory on-site that allows our dedicated medical staff to perform advanced diagnostic testing at the time of your visit and get the results quickly. Based on the results, our board-certified medical staff will review the treatment options available to you, which may include prescribing antibiotics. If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, visit AFC Urgent Care Lakewood. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options for self-paying patients. Walk in today.