Sore throats are very common in the winter months, and many people are wondering if they have strep throat, COVID-19 or something else. It’s understandable that you may assume you’ve got COVID-19 because of the new B.1.1.529 Omicron variant, but that’s not the only winter illness you should be worrying about. 

The main difference between COVID-19 and strep throat is that COVID-19 is caused by a viral infection while strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection. Strep is just as contagious when sneezing, coughing, or touching the same things as someone else. In this guide, AFC Urgent Care Rocky Hill will help you differentiate the causes and symptoms between strep throat and COVID-19, so you can get treated properly and have peace of mind this winter!

COVID-19 And Strep Throat Are Two Completely Different Illnesses!

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2 and was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It is very contagious and has quickly spread around the world. COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, a flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. These days, if vaccinated and boosted, most people with COVID-19 will experience mild symptoms, but some will become severely ill, while others may not even feel any symptoms.

Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by a bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).Group A strep bacteria are very contagious. Generally, people spread the bacteria to others through:

• Respiratory droplets
• Direct contact

Strep throat and COVID-19 symptoms 

Strep throat symptoms include:

• Sore throat that can start very quickly.
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
• Tiny, red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth (the soft or hard palate)
• Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck.

If you are symptomatic with COVID-19 and have a sore throat, you’ll most certainly have these respiratory symptoms along with it:

• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Congestion
• Loss of smell and/or taste

keep in mind that symptoms may change depending on the newest COVID variant. As of now, the newest variant is Omicron B.1.1.529.

AFC Urgent Care Rocky Hill can test you for COVID-19 and strep throat

If you’re in need of a COVID-19 test, AFC urgent care Rocky Hill can test you any day of the week! Along with COVID-19 tests, AFC urgent care Rocky Hill can provide you with a strep test as well. We offer a rapid strep test (throat swab) to determine if there is bacteria growth. We also offer antibiotic treatment for strep throat. We highly recommend you take the recommended dosage, so that you can prevent strep from coming back.

Do not hesitate to make an appointment. AFC urgent care Rocky Hill is open 7 days a week and ready to help you out.