Recently, we have been seeing people with strep throat-like symptoms. It’s not necessarily COVID-19 or flu related. Strep throat is a different type of winter illness that can cause that scratch in your throat, and more. COVID-19 isn’t the only sickness going around these days, especially during the winter time. This is why it is important to have a rapid strep test as a first step towards treatment. AFC Urgent Care West Springfield created this guide to help you keep the panic under control, understand symptoms of strep throat and how they differ from COVID-1
Strep throat is an illness you shouldn’t ignore. It’s highly contagious and it’s caused by a bacterial infection requiring medication to knock it out. AFC Urgent Care West Springfield understands the confusion about sore throats this winter and is here to help you differentiate whether it’s strep throat or COVID-19.
What’s the difference between strep throat and COVID-19?
There may be some similarities in symptoms, but COVID-19 and strep throat have distinguishable factors.
Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by 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 symptoms may include:
- Sore throat that can start very quickly
- Pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
Rarely, people can spread group A strep bacteria through food that is not handled properly. It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep bacteria to become ill with strep throat.
COVID-19 May Come With Respiratory Symptoms!
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.
If you are symptomatic with COVID-19 and have a sore throat, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Congestion
- Loss of smell and/or taste
COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease.
Reminder: The symptoms may vary due to new variants. Most people who have had all of the available vaccines will experience mild symptoms, but some people, mostly those who have not been vaccinated, the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions, can become severely ill.
AFC Urgent Care West Springfield Is Seeing Patients For Sore Throats and testing for COVID-19
If you suspect strep throat to be the cause of your sore throat, we can perform a rapid strep test to find out right away. If you’re positive we’ll prescribe you antibiotics to get started on treatment. We highly suggest finishing your entire prescription of antibiotics because there is still a chance that bacteria that causes strep can grow back and be more resistant!
AFC Urgent Care West Springfield is open seven days a week for patients of all ages on a walk in basis, for flu vaccinations, diagnostic rapid tests for COVID-19, physicals, on-site X-rays, care for minor bone breaks and burns,stitches for cuts and lacerations, and more.
Always here for our friends and families in the West Springfield community.
