Could your sore throat be strep throat if it won’t go away?
A sore throat is very common and is usually caused by a cold or the flu. Most of the time, it hurts for a day or two and then slowly gets better. If your sore throat doesn’t get better after a few days and stays very painful, it could be a sign of strep throat, a bacterial infection that needs to be treated by a doctor.
Signs That You Might Have Strep Throat
Group A Streptococcus bacteria cause strep throat. Strep throat is different from a regular sore throat because it often comes on suddenly and hurts a lot. It can hurt a lot to swallow, and your throat may look red and swollen. Some people may see white spots or pus on their tonsils.
Fever, headache, swollen glands in the neck, and weakness in the body are other common signs. Strep throat can also make kids’ stomachs hurt, make them feel sick, or make them throw up. One important sign that you have strep throat is that you usually don’t cough, sneeze, or have a runny nose. If you have these cold symptoms, your sore throat is more likely to be viral.
Most of the time, strep throat does not get better on its own. If you don’t treat it, it can cause serious health problems like ear infections, kidney problems, or rheumatic fever, which can hurt the heart. If the pain lasts longer than two days or gets worse, you need to see a doctor right away.
A quick test of the throat can show that you have strep throat. If the test is positive, the doctor will give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria, ease your pain, and stop any problems from happening. Even if you start to feel better, you should finish the whole course of antibiotics.
In short, you shouldn’t ignore a sore throat that stays very painful and doesn’t get better after a few days. Getting a diagnosis and treatment early can help you get better quickly and keep your health in good shape.
