To know if you have strep throat, look for these common signs and symptoms:
- Sudden onset of throat pain and sore throat without a cough
- Painful swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
- Tiny red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes (glands) in the front of your neck
- Fever, often 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- Headache, body aches, nausea, or vomiting, especially in children
- Rash that feels rough like sandpaper (scarlet fever) in some cases
Notably, strep throat usually does not cause a cough or cold symptoms like runny nose or hoarseness; if you have those, it is more likely a viral infection
. To confirm strep throat, a healthcare provider will perform a throat swab test:
- A rapid strep test can provide results in about 10-20 minutes and detects group A Streptococcus bacteria
- If the rapid test is negative but suspicion remains, a throat culture or PCR test may be done for confirmation, which takes longer
If you suspect strep throat based on symptoms, especially if you have a fever, no cough, swollen lymph nodes, and white patches on tonsils, see a healthcare provider for testing and appropriate antibiotic treatment
. Summary of key symptoms suggesting strep throat:
- Sore throat without cough
- Fever
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- White patches on tonsils
- Red spots on the roof of the mouth
If these are present, get tested to confirm and receive treatment
. This approach helps distinguish strep throat from viral sore throats and ensures proper care.
