Do You Have Just a Sore Throat or Is It Strep?

A quick and easy test in the doctor’s office can tell you for certain

Many different factors can cause sore throats. Viruses, bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes, dry air, allergies or even drainage from a runny nose can make your throat hurt.

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But not all sore throats are created equal. While allergies or a runny nose are painful nuisances, strep throat is an illness that needs a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment.

If you suspect strep throat, there are several reasons to seek treatment. For one thing, you can infect others. The bacteria that cause strep throat can also spread to other tissues, causing a more serious infection. And if you leave strep throat untreated, in rare circumstances, it can lead to a more severe illness like rheumatic fever, a potentially fatal disease that can damage your heart valves.

But how can you tell if you just have a sore throat or if you’re developing the worse condition of strep throat? Family medicine specialist Daniel Allan, MD, breaks down the difference and explains when you should make a doctor’s appointment.

Symptoms of sore throat vs. strep

Viral infections, like the common cold or flu, cause sore throats (pharyngitis). And it usually comes with other symptoms like:

Runny nose.Red or watery eyes.Sneezing.Cough.

So, what’s the difference between a sore throat and strep throat? For starters, having a cough is a major symptom that sets a sore throat apart from strep.

“You do not have a cough with strep. If you’re coughing, that typically means no strep,” says Dr. Allan. “Also, when you look in the throat of a person with a sore throat caused by a cold virus, you typically do not see pus or exudate in the back of the throat.”