Winter Sickness: Strep Throat

Strep is a very common winter illness. It can occur in children and adults and requires treatment for the optimal recovery. Sore throat and difficulty swallowing are common symptoms, but what other symptoms can you look for to see if Strep might be what’s ailing you or your loved one? If you’re unsure, the doctors and nurse practitioners at Southern Care can help.

• Severe and sudden sore throatwithout coughing, sneezing, or other cold symptoms.
• Pain or difficulty with swallowing.
• Fever over 101°F (38.3°C). Lower fevers may point to a viral infectionand not strep.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
• White or yellow spots or coating on the throat and tonsils.
• Bright red throat or dark red spots on the roof of the mouth at the back near the throat.
• Swollen tonsils, although this symptom may also be caused by a viral infection.