Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that causes sudden, intense throat pain, but people often wonder if the two are connected when a cough joins the mix. While coughing is a hallmark symptom of many respiratory illnesses, it’s not typically associated with strep throat in the same way as fever, swollen tonsils, and difficulty swallowing are. Read this article further for a better understanding.
For same-day sore/strep throat treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Cedar Grove. Our center is conveniently located at 480 Pompton Avenue, Suite 6 in Cedar Grove, NJ. Simply walk in or plan your visit in advance below!
Understanding Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It primarily affects the throat and tonsils, leading to sudden and severe symptoms such as a painful sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and red and swollen tonsils. Unlike a viral sore throat, strep throat requires antibiotics to fully clear the infection and prevent complications such as rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation, or scarlet fever.
Strep throat spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares utensils. Crowded places like schools, daycare centers, and offices can be hotspots for transmission, especially in colder months when people spend more time indoors. Children and teenagers are most at risk, but adults can also contract it, particularly if they have close contact with someone who’s infected.
Does Strep Throat Cause a Cough?
One of the hallmark clues doctors use to identify strep throat is the absence of a cough. The presence of a cough often points toward a viral infection like the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19, rather than strep.
While someone with strep can experience a mild cough, it’s usually due to post-nasal drip, throat irritation, or having a viral infection at the same time. A persistent, productive cough is not a typical feature of strep throat. A sore throat without cough, fever, swollen neck glands, and tonsil inflammation raises strong suspicion for strep.
When To Seek Medical Attention
You should see a healthcare provider promptly if you have:
- A severe sore throat lasting more than 48 hours
- Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes
- A rash or red spots on the roof of the mouth
Your doctor can perform a rapid strep test or throat culture to confirm the diagnosis. If positive, antibiotics are prescribed to speed recovery, prevent complications, and reduce the spread to others. Untreated strep throat can cause serious health problems even if symptoms begin to fade.
Get Walk-In Illness Testing & Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Cedar Grove
If every swallow is painful, your fever is rising, and there’s no cough in sight, urgent care can help you recover from strep throat. With a quick test and targeted treatment, you’ll feel better as fast as possible. At AFC Urgent Care Cedar Grove, our expert team can provide fast, effective care to help get back to your routine. We can provide further guidance on how you can minimize illness symptoms throughout the year. Just walk in today! We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about the services we provide, please contact our office directly at (973) 239-2300.
