When you woke up this morning and felt an ache in your throat, did you immediately wonder if you had contracted Covid-19? Given the common symptoms of the pandemic illness, the guess would not be unreasonable. Despite the presence of a sore throat, there are some other illnesses that you may have that are not Covid. A cold, respiratory infection, strep throat, and other sicknesses cause a sore throat. When it comes to strep and Covid, there are a few differences in symptoms.

No matter the symptoms you experience, visit AFC Paramus for treatment. Our urgent care center can diagnose COVID through rapid COVID tests and strep throat through rapid strep tests. Feel better in no time by visiting our urgent care center. 

Symptoms of Strep

Strep throat involves more than a sore throat, though throat pain is the most noticeable and common symptom. In addition to that pain, people that have strep will experience:

• Swollen tonsils
• Red or white patches in the back of the mouth
• Inflamed or tender lymph nodes in the neck
• Fever
• Headache
• Hoarse voice
• Nausea
• Rash

Like with most illnesses, an individual with strep throat may not have all of the listed symptoms. However, if strep is suspected based on the signs provided, a test is necessary to determine its presence.

Symptoms of COVID

A commonality between strep and COVID-19 is a sore throat. Additionally, a fever, headache, and nausea can be present in both illnesses. However, there are a few symptoms that are present in COVID cases and not strep.

• Chills
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Loss of taste
• Loss of smell

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, it is best to get tested to verify the existence or non-existence of the virus. Knowing if you have it can help you determine the need for isolation to not spread it to others.

Treating Strep Throat

When you have tested positive for strep throat, your doctor will prescribe you an antibiotic. Strep is caused by bacteria and often requires an antibiotic to get it to go away. Although it is possible to outlast the illness, it requires a prescription to ensure you are no longer contagious fast.

A prescription will kill the bacteria causing strep, but other methods are also soothing your symptoms. When it comes to a sore throat, a warm beverage with honey can help to take some of the pain away. You can also purchase over-the-counter throat spray but check with your doctor before using it to ensure it will not affect your antibiotic. Another method to add to your comfort is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Using these items as approved by your physician can bring you some comfort while you heal.