what is difference between Sore Throat or Strep Throat

Having a sore throat, whether it’s due to a common cold or strep throat, can be a real pain! When it’s painful to swallow and eat, all you want is fast relief. However, treatment for each is different so understandingthe difference between a sore throat and strep throat can help you make the right call for treatment.

Strep throat requires prescription antibiotics, whereas a simple sore throat just needs time, over-the-counter sore throat medicine, and home remedies to go away.

We’ll go over the differences, causes, symptoms, and treatments for both strep throat and regular sore throat in this article.

STREP THROAT

Strep throat is a very common illness for school-age children because it is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads quickly. One of the distinguishing characteristics of strep throat is its fast onset of an intense sore throat that can make it feel extremely painful to swallow and is often accompanied by a fever of 38°C or higher.

Symptoms

·         Fast onset with

·         Intense pain when swallowing.

·         Fever greater than 38°C

·         Swollen tonsils

·         Swollen lymph nodes.       

·         White patchy areas on the tonsils or in the back of the throat.

Causes

Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).

Treatment

Since strep throat is a bacterial infection, it must be treated with prescription antibiotics which should cure the infection within 24 to 48 hours.

SORE THROAT

A viral sore throat is highly contagious and can be transmitted easily. Sore throats happen in people of all ages, but thankfully, they usually go away within a few days with over-the-counter (OTC) medication and home remedies.

Symptoms

Most people have the following symptoms when they have a viral sore throat:

·         Pain when swallowing or talking.

·         Hoarseness

·         Scratchy, stinging, or burning sensation.

Causes

A sore throat (pharyngitis) is usually caused by a virus such as rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, and influenza virus.

Treatment

To reduce throat pain, try these OTC and home remedies:

1. Rest.

2. Drink warm liquids (tea, broth, etc.).

3. Do a saltwater gargle.

4. Use throat lozenges, such as:

·         Jakemans Honey & Lemon 100G

·         Halls Soothers Peach + Raspberry 45G

·         Fisherman’s Friend Cherry Low Sugar 25GM

·         Fisherman’s Friend Original Ex Stro 45GM

5. Take OTC pain relievers.

6. Use a throat rinse to numb the throat, such as:

·         Difflam Sore Throat Rinse 200ML

Visit Pearl Chemist Group pharmacy to consult with our expert pharmacists about sore throat treatments. We have a wide range of OTC treatments available in-store and online.