i keep getting a sore throat that comes and goes

A throat culture takes a couple of days for results. However, if there are strong signs of strep throat, your healthcare provider can do a different throat swab test that is sent to the lab to see if strep bacteria can be grown (cultured) from it. If the strep test is negative, you likely do not have strep throat. If the strep test is positive, you have strep throat. The tip of a cotton swab is used to wipe the back of the throat. The test is painless and takes very little time. What Is a Strep Test for a Sore Throat?Ī rapid strep test checks for streptococcus bacteria infection in the throat. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam, and you may be given a strep test. If you think you have symptoms of strep throat, visit your healthcare provider. The symptoms of a cold and strep throat can be very similar. Strep throat symptoms are usually more severe than symptoms of a sore throat with a cold and may include the following:ĭo I Need to See My Doctor if I Think I Have Strep Throat? Are Strep Throat Symptoms Different From a Sore Throat With a Cold? With proper treatment, strep throat is usually cured within 10 days. That's why it's important to get proper medical treatment. Strep throat can cause more serious illnesses, such as rheumatic fever, a disease that may harm the heart valves. Is Strep Throat More Serious Than a Sore Throat With a Cold? In some cases, they may be able to diagnose strep based on your reported symptoms and other signs, such as white spots in the throat area, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. To diagnose strep throat, your doctor can check a rapid strep test or send a throat swab to the lab for a culture. Although strep throat is more common in children ages 5 to 15, it also occurs in adults. Strep throat spreads by having contact with an infected person's saliva or nasal secretions.

Stre p throat is caused by an infection of streptococcus bacteria. How Is Strep Throat Different From a Sore Throat With a Cold? They will not work on sore throats associated with colds, which are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are effective only against bacteria. (Be sure to stop using nasal decongestant sprays after three days, or you may have an increase in congestion when you stop them.)Īntibiotics should not be used to treat a cold virus and sore throat. Decongestant nasal sprays to relieve a sore throat caused by postnasal drip - nasal drainage that runs down your throat.(Lozenges should not be given to young children.) Sore throat sprays and lozenges to soothe your throat and numb the throat pain temporarily.

( Aspirin should not be given to children because of its link to Reye's syndrome, a disorder that can cause brain damage and death.)

Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen and naproxen, to relieve the aches and pains of a cold and sore throat.

However, the benefits of these drugs are minimal. Over-the-counter cold medications may relieve cold and sore throat symptoms. Can Medications Relieve Symptoms of a Sore Throat With a Cold? When you are sick with a cold, it is also important to get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of fluids. Drinking warm liquids, gargling with warm salt water, sucking on ice chips, or taking an over-the-counter medicine may relieve symptoms of pain or fever. In addition to a sore throat, other common cold symptoms include:Īlthough there is no cure for a sore throat caused by a cold virus, there are ways to help you feel more comfortable. Along With a Sore Throat, What are Other Cold Symptoms?

Other causes of sore throat include smoking, pollution or irritants in the air, allergies, and dry air. Viral sore throats are often accompanied by other cold symptoms that may include a runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes, and sneezing. The most common causes of sore throats are viruses. Sore throats can be caused by viruses or bacteria.

Is a Sore Throat With a Cold Caused by Viruses or Bacteria? Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation or infection of the tonsils, the tissue masses located at the back of the throat. With strep throat, the sore throat is often more severe and persists. Strep throat, which is an infection due to streptococcus bacteria, is another cause of sore throats and tonsillitis. Other cold symptoms such as a runny nose and congestion may follow the sore throat. However, a sore throat from a cold often gets better or goes away after the first day or two. What's the Difference Between a Cold, Strep Throat, and Tonsillitis?Ī sore throat is often the first sign of a cold.

I keep getting a sore throat that comes and goes