Strep throat vs. cold: How to tell the difference

Overview: Unsure what’s causing your sore throat? Learn the difference between strep throat and the common cold so you can find the right care for your throat pain.

Both the common cold and strep throat can display similar symptoms, such as a sore throat, pain when swallowing and generally feeling under the weather. Although both illnesses cause throat pain, they’re different types of infections and require different treatment. It’s important to understand the difference, so you can find the right care for your throat pain.

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils caused by a type of bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. Strep throat symptoms typically start to appear three to five days after you're exposed to the bacteria.  

Common signs of strep throat include:

• Sudden sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Red, swollen tonsils
• White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Headache
• Sometimes stomach pain, nausea or vomiting (especially in children)

How do you treat strep throat?

If you think you have strep throat, reach out to your primary care provider. They will likely have you take a rapid strep test or throat culture to determine if strep is causing your symptoms. If your test is positive, you’ll be prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection.

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What is a cold?

The common cold is a viral infection most often caused by rhinoviruses. Symptoms often include:

• Runny nose
• Stuffy or congested nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Mild headache and body aches
• Watery eyes
• Fatigue or feeling tired
• Low-grade fever (more common in children than adults)

Colds typically go away on their own within 7 – 10 days with at home treatments such as:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Staying hydrated
• Using a humidifier or breathing in steam
• Gargling with warm salt water for a sore throat
• Using over-the-counter medications as directed for symptoms such as congestion, fever or aches

Colds are very common, with most adults experiencing an average of two to three colds a year. However, if your symptoms worsen or you have difficulty breathing, seek care right away.  

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How to tell if it’s strep throat and not a cold?

If you have a sore throat and a runny nose while sneezing and coughing, you're likely dealing with a cold.

If you have a sudden sore throat with fever and swollen glands, but little or no cough or runny nose, strep throat is most likely the cause of your throat pain.

However, the only way to know for sure is to get tested for strep. If you think you might have strep, schedule an appointment with your provider.  

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Find the right care for your throat pain

Although strep throat and the common cold may feel similar at first, paying attention to your symptoms can help you determine what’s causing your throat pain and when it's time to seek care. If you're unsure what's causing your sore throat, talk with your primary care provider to get the answers and treatment you need. 

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