If you’re suffering from a sore throat, it is most likely nothing. Sore throats are common symptoms for a wide range of low-level ailments, or they might actually signify nothing at all. However, on rare occasions, a sore throat can be a sign of something more serious.
One of the causes of a sore throat that you cannot afford to ignore is strep throat. Although strep throat is fairly common in small children and rarely has a lasting impact, the situation is different for adults.
Adults who suffer from strep throat symptoms can suffer a range of lasting side effects, such as inflamed joints, heart valve problems, and kidney inflammation.If you’re wondering, “Do I have a sore throat?”, read on to find out the crucial signs of strep throat you need to look out for.
1. Sore Throat, No Cough
One of the main telltale symptoms of strep throat is when you have a sore throat, but no accompanying cough. If you are suffering from a cough, you most likely have a cold or flu.
However, if your throat is sore and inflamed with no cough, it is possible that it could be strep. If you want to know for sure, you can visit a walk-in diagnostics center, where they have an on-site laboratory for quick results.
2. Difficulty Swallowing
If you are having difficulty swallowing or you find it painful at all to swallow, then you could have strep throat. Strep throat bacteria causes the throat to swell, constricting your throat and making it more difficult for food and liquids to pass. Any form of difficulty swallowing should always be checked out by a medical professional.
3. Swollen Lymph Nodes
A very easy way to check if what you are suffering from is strep throat is to check your lymph nodes for swelling. These are two glans at the front of your neck. Simply touch them with your fingers to check if they feel sore or swollen. If so, something is wrong. Always consult a medical professional if you find that your lymph nodes are particularly swollen and sore.
4. Inflamed Tonsils
Strep throat is often used interchangeably with tonsilitis. However, they are two distinct conditions, as strep is caused by a specific bacteria. Nonetheless, inflamed tonsils are a very common symptom of strep throat. You should also check your tonsils for white marks or the presence of pus.
5. Loss of Appetite
If you find that you have suddenly lost your appetite, the cause may very well be strep throat. Strep throat causes the throat to swell, making swallowing more difficult and thus making food a less appealing prospect.
In addition, the fever-like symptoms that strep throat can induce also tend to cause a significant loss of appetite. If you have the above symptoms and also find that you have no appetite, then you might be dealing with strep throat.
Now That You Know the Strep Throat Symptoms…
Now that you know how to identify strep throat symptoms, you can make more informed choices about your health in the short and long term. For more essential tips on staying healthy, we have got you covered. Make sure to consult our dedicated Health & Fitness section to learn more.
