You seem to have a sore throat, but you're not sure if it's due to a cold, strep throat, or tonsillitis? Here's help with how to tell and when to call our home GP for a sore throat in Fuengirola.
What's the Difference Between a Cold, Strep Throat, and Tonsillitis?
A sore throat is frequently the initial symptom of a cold. However, a painful throat caused by a cold often improves or disappears after the first two days. After a sore throat, other cold symptoms such as a runny nose and congestion may develop.
Strep throat, an illness caused by the bacterium streptococcus, is another cause of sore throats and tonsillitis. Throat pain associated with strep throat is frequently more intense and persistent.
Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation or infection of the tissue lumps in the back of the throat, the tonsils.
Is a Sore Throat With a Cold Caused by Viruses or Bacteria?
Both bacteria and viruses have the potential to cause sore throats. Viruses are the most often encountered causes of sore throats. A sore throat caused by a virus is typically accompanied by other cold symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes, and sneezing. These symptoms might be caused by a viral infection. Smoking, exposure to air pollution or other irritants, allergies, and dry air are among other factors that can lead to a sore throat.
Along With a Sore Throat, What are Other Cold Symptoms?
Other symptoms of the common cold, in addition to a sore throat, include the following:
- Mild headache
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Mild body aches
How Is Strep Throat Different From a Sore Throat With a Cold?
An infection with the bacterium known as streptococcus is the root cause of strep throat. It is possible to get strep throat by coming into touch with the saliva or nasal secretions of an infected individual. Strep throat may also affect adults, despite the fact that it is more frequent in children between the ages of 5 and 15. Your doctor may use a fast strep test or take a swab of your throat to submit to a lab for culture in order to make a diagnosis of strep throat. They may be able to identify strep throat based on your reported symptoms and other indicators, such as white spots in the throat area, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. In other instances, however, they may not be able to do so.
Is Strep Throat More Serious Than a Sore Throat With a Cold?
It's possible for strep throat to lead to more dangerous conditions, such rheumatic fever, which is an infection that can damage the heart valves. Because of this, it is essential to seek the appropriate medical therapy. Strep throat may often be treated within ten days after receiving the appropriate therapy.
Are Strep Throat Symptoms Different From a Sore Throat With a Cold?
The following are some of the symptoms that may be present if you have strep throat, which are often more severe than the symptoms of a sore throat caused by a cold:
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden sore throat
- Red tonsils with white spots
- Painful swallowing
- Fever
When to call our Home GP for a sore throat in Fuengirola
There is a lot of overlap between the symptoms of a cold and those of strep throat. Seek medical attention from a qualified professional if you suspect that you have symptoms of strep throat. Our home GP for a sore throat in Fuengirola will do a physical exam, as well as ask you questions about your symptoms, and you may also be offered a strep test.