Sore throats are an extremely common illness symptom. They are one of the most common reasons for urgent care visits. While a sore throat can be caused by a variety of different conditions, including seasonal allergies, environmental irritants and minor colds, strep throat is a very common condition which can lead to a severe sore throat. Identifying whether your sore throat is caused by strep throat, or something else, is essential. Strep throat requires medical treatment.
At AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch, our clinic offers sore throat diagnosis on a walk-in basis for patients in West Long Branch, NJ and the surrounding areas. We have short wait times, and are open 7 days a week to provide convenient care. Simply walk into the clinic for rapid care, or save your spot online in advance using the button below.
Can a Cold Cause a Severe Sore Throat?
Colds can absolutely cause a sore throat. A mild sore throat is a very common cold symptom. However, colds are unlikely to lead to a severe or persistent sore throat. You can identify whether your symptoms are caused by a cold by monitoring for other cold-like symptoms like congestion, coughing, fatigue, and a runny nose. These symptoms along with a sore throat usually indicate that you have a cold, not strep throat.
3 Signs Your Sore Throat is a Case of Strep Throat
Fever
Strep throat is a bacterial infection, which tends to cause more severe symptoms than a viral infection like a cold. Experiencing a fever, body aches, or chills in addition to a severe sore throat is often a pretty good indication that you have a case of strep throat.
Swollen Tonsils
Your tonsils are located on either side of the back of your throat. If you’re experiencing swollen tonsils, or your tonsils have white patches on them, this typically indicates the presence of strep. In some cases, tonsil swelling can make it difficult to swallow.
Swollen or Painful Lymph Nodes
Having a sore neck and tender lymph nodes is a very common symptom of strep throat. Your lymph nodes typically swell up when your immune system is working hard to fight off an infection.
Treatment Options for Strep Throat
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection in the throat. Unlike viral infections like colds and the flu, bacterial infections typically require a medical diagnosis and treatment. Strep can be quickly diagnosed by taking a swab of your throat and testing it for the presence of Streptococcus bacteria. Treatment for strep throat typically is a round of antibiotics. Without treatment, symptoms can continue for over a week. Most people feel significant relief within 3 days of starting treatment.
Visit AFC West Long Branch for Strep Throat Diagnosis and Treatment
Sore throats can be very uncomfortable, and affect your ability to eat and drink comfortably. If you’re experiencing a severe sore throat, it’s likely that you have a case of strep throat, not just a cold. Strep throat can be easily treated with antibiotics, and early intervention is essential to effectively manage symptoms.
At AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch, our walk-in clinic in West Long Branch, NJ offers convenient same-day care for sore throats. We’re able to perform diagnostic testing to check for strep throat, as well as other common illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. We’re open 7 days a week, and have short wait times. Our clinic accepts most medical insurance plans, and we have affordable rates for patients without insurance. Walk in today, or give us a call to learn more at (732) 222-8000.
