During school season and cold and flu season, sore throats can feel like they’re everywhere. As a parent, it’s natural to wonder whether this one is just a passing bug…or something that needs a closer look.
The good news is that most sore throats aren’t serious. Still, knowing the difference between a typical sore throat and possible strep throat can help you decide what to do next.
Here’s your guide to sore throat vs. strep in kids.
A Sore Throat Can Have Many Causes
A scratchy or painful throat can come from a lot of different conditions, which is why it can be tricky to nail down on your own. These causes include:
- Colds
- Flu
- COVID
- Allergies
- Dry air
- Postnasal drip
- Strep throat
- Other infections
Because the list is so long, a sore throat on its own doesn’t tell you much. The other symptoms that come with it can offer better clues.
What a Sore Throat From a Cold May Look Like
Many sore throats are caused by viruses, like the common cold. When a virus is behind a sore throat, you may notice symptoms like:
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Hoarse voice
- Watery eyes
- Mild fatigue
These symptoms are more common with viral illnesses, but they don’t completely rule out strep. Kids can sometimes have both at once (as if parents didn’t have enough to worry about!).
Symptoms That May Suggest Strep Throat
Strep throat may look a little different. Strep throat symptoms in kids can include:
- Sudden sore throat
- Fever
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen glands
- Red or swollen tonsils
- White patches or streaks on the tonsils
- Headache
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Little or no cough
If several of these show up together, it may be a good time to have your child checked.
Why Symptoms Alone Are Not Enough
Even experienced parents can’t always tell strep from a virus just by looking, and that’s okay. Symptoms overlap all the time. A medical provider may recommend strep testing for kids to help confirm whether strep is present.
Testing matters because antibiotics aren’t used for every sore throat. Many sore throats are viral, and antibiotics don’t help viruses. A test can help guide the care your child’s provider recommends.
When to Visit KidsStreet Urgent Care
Our urgent care services can help when your child has:
- Sore throat with fever
- A sore throat that is getting worse
- Painful swallowing
- Swollen glands
- Possible strep exposure
- Symptoms lasting longer than expected
- Symptoms that may need testing
- Any symptoms that leave you feeling concerned
If something feels off, trust your instincts. That’s a good reason to have a provider take a look.
When You Should Seek Emergency Care
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1 if your child has:
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing saliva
- Drooling because swallowing is difficult
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Confusion
- A seizure
- Symptoms that feel life-threatening
If you’re ever unsure whether something is an emergency, it’s always okay to choose the emergency room.
What to Expect During Your Urgent Care Visit
At KidsStreet, a medical provider will review your child’s symptoms and examine the throat and tonsils. A throat swab may be used when appropriate. If symptoms overlap with other illnesses, the provider may also recommend testing for something else. Then they’ll walk you through recommended next steps so you leave knowing what to do next.
Visit KidsStreet for Sore Throat Symptoms
Whether it’s a simple sore throat or something more, you don’t have to figure it out alone. You have help just around the corner.
KidsStreet is open late 7 days a week!
Register online to save your spot in line! Online registration is not an appointment, but it can help reduce in-clinic wait times by adding you to the queue before you arrive.