There are many causes of sore throat, and it can come on fast enough, that you might wonder — especially during the cold season when diseases like COVID-19 and strep throat continue to circulate. These conditions commonly have similar symptoms, but vary according to cause, severity and treatment, so it is important to know what you can expect with each.

This blog  provides a straightforward explanation of how sore throats develop, how COVID-19 and strep throat vary, and what common symptoms generally look like for the novel coronavirus. The info is based on sound medical guidance about when symptoms might indicate a viral infection and when they could mean bacterial strep throat.

A sore throat by itself doesn’t indicate the cause, but the context in which it appears can help people make decisions about care and testing. Below are the details on how each one spreads, how medical professionals treat them and what safety measures help minimize your chances of becoming infected.

Key Differences Between COVID-19 and Strep Throat

COVID-19 and strep throat often find themselves in the same differential diagnosis since both create a sore throat and fever. Nevertheless, if factors determining the pathogenesis, symptom pattern and presentation time point as well as treatment of both disorders are considered in more detail, differences might become apparent.

Strep throat results from Group A Streptococcus, a common type of bacteria that is passed from person to person by respiratory droplets and close personal contact. It usually comes on suddenly with severe sore throat, fever and swollen neck lymph nodes. It’s also usually localised to the throat and upper respiratory system, so it will likely come on more strongly.

COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a respiratory virus that can impact several different types of organs. It is frequently accompanied by more symptoms, like cough, congestion, fatigue, body aches, and it can sometimes result in loss of taste or smell. In many instances, symptoms come on more slowly, and the disease can range from mild to severe.

Transmission patterns also differ. COVID-19 is highly transmissible via airborne and droplet routes, with the contagious period frequently preceding symptom onset. Strep throat is typically transmitted through close-range, droplet exposure, sharing utensils or from a surface that has been contaminated.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

• Sudden and severe sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Red, swollen tonsils with white patches or streaks of pus
• High fever
• Swollen and tender neck lymph nodes
• Headache and general body aches
• Absence of cough

Symptoms of COVID-19

• Gradual sore throat
• Persistent dry cough
• Fever of varying intensity
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Fatigue and body aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell (less common in newer variants but still possible)

Safety Measures for Strep Throat and COVID-19

Both strep throat and COVID-19 are transmitted through respiratory droplets, so proper precautions can be taken to minimize transmission.

Proper hand hygiene continues to be one of the most important preventative measures. Frequent hand washing with soap and water is encouraged to wash away the droplets which may contain bacteria from coughing, sneezing of oneself or others otherwise touching one's face.

Isolation is a key consideration for any possible or confirmed COVID-19. Separating from other people, wearing a mask around others and good air ventilation also limit the spread. And even with mild symptoms, those who develop COVID remain contagious for days.

In the case of strep throat, they are substantially less contagious after having started antibiotics — usually in 24 to 48 hours. Until your infection clears, however, staying home and avoiding close contact can limit the risk of spreading the bacteria among household members or colleagues.

How AFC Urgent Can Help

At AFC Urgent Care (Hudson), we provide full-service treatment for those with strep throat or COVID-19 symptoms. First off, in the case of potential strep throat, AFC offers on-site rapid strep testing: a simple swab to the back of your throat can confirm or refute Group A Strep almost on the spot, ensuring that you receive a treatment plan right away. Patients will undergo a medical assessment, which includes physical examination (including the review of tonsil appearance), and antibiotics and symptomatic treatments will be prescribed when necessary.

As for COVID-19, AFC Urgent Care offers convenient walk in COVID-19 testing, following the CDC guidelines. They have rigorous infection control practices and see patients without appointments, so it is easier to get care when symptoms escape.

For testing, AFC has both fast COVID-19 tests and RT-PCR tests. The rapid test provides screening results at the time of the test, while the RT-PCR test delivers confirmatory results online a few days later. Their staff can help design a treatment plan — including guidance on isolation, symptom monitoring and follow-up care, whichever way the test comes out.

Conclusion

The symptoms of a sore throat may seem to be exactly the same for COVID-19 and strep throat, however, there are key differentiators between the two in terms of origin, pattern of symptoms and treatment. Strep throat comes on quickly and can be treated with antibiotics, while COVID-19 has a broader range of symptoms and requires surveillance and isolation.

Symptom clues can be useful, but testing is the most reliable way to determine whether someone has the illness. If we know how each behaves, that should help inform timely care and safer decisions as well as offer better protection of people who are at risk.