What Is A Strep Test For A Sore Throat
A rapid strep test checks for streptococcus bacteria infection in the throat. The test is painless and takes very little time. The tip of a cotton swab is used to wipe the back of the throat. The swab is then tested right away. If the strep test is positive, you have strep throat. If the strep test is negative, you likely do not have strep throat. However, if there are strong signs of strep throat, your healthcare provider can do a different throat swab test that is sent to the lab to see if strep bacteria can be grown from it. A throat culture takes a couple of days for results.
You Have Low Blood Sugar
Although many people feel a bit shaky and irritable when they need to eat, true hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, most often occurs in people who have diabetes.
One of the symptoms of hypoglycemia is a feeling of shakiness, which may mimic chills, Taroyan says. Hypoglycemia requires immediate treatment to get blood sugar levels back to normal.
Defined as blood glucose of less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, hypoglycemia can cause a variety of other symptoms, including sweating, confusion, a rapid heartbeat, blurry vision, lightheadedness and drowsiness.
If you have diabetes and you notice these symptoms, follow the 15-15 rule: Have 15 grams of simple carbs, such as a glucose tablet, juice, honey or hard candy, and check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. Then eat a meal, but dont overeat, or your blood sugar will spike.
How Important Is To Know Whether You Have A Cold Or Covid
It may not be critical to test if you have mild symptoms and are at low risk for complications, as long as you stay away from others, especially others who may be at risk because of advanced age or underlying health problems.
In folks who are vulnerable people over 65, those with chronic diseases such as lung disease, diabetes and hypertension, or those who are immunocompromised its good to know for sure if you have COVID-19 because it could progress and there is antiviral therapy to mitigate that possibility, Dr. Salata says.
The antiviral drug Paxlovid, granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in December, can be taken at home by high-risk patients. The drug was shown to be 90 percent effective at preventing serious illness and deaths.
However, the best way to avoid serious illness and death is to be fully vaccinated.
High-risk patients who develop symptoms should consider a PCR test because they are more reliable than home tests, Dr. Salata says. PCR tests are administered at testing sites and medical facilities.
If you have symptoms that dont go away or become worse, you should see a doctor.
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What Is The Treatment For Sore Throat And Headache
Usually, you can treat sore throat and headache with at-home remedies. If you have strep throat, your provider will prescribe antibiotics to get rid of it. Take all the medicine, even though youll start to feel better within a day or two.
At-home treatments for sore throat and headache include:
- Fluids, especially water, tea with honey, soup or broth.
- Throat lozenges or ice cubes.
- Warm saltwater gargle.
- Cool compress on your head.
- Plenty of rest.
If your child has a headache and sore throat, remember:
- Choose the right medication: Dont give aspirin to young children. It may cause a life-threatening condition called Reyes syndrome. Make sure to choose pain relievers made for infants and children.
- Avoid hard candies: Lozenges or other hard candies can be a choking hazard for young children.
- Dont give honey to babies: Avoid giving honey to infants under a year old. Babies dont have defenses against infant botulism.
High Risk Conditions Include:
- lung diseases like asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis or emphysema
- metabolic diseases like diabetes
- blood disorders like sickle cell or other severe anemia
- a weakened immune system caused, for example, by cancer or cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, or corticosteroid therapy
- certain conditions such as nervous system or muscular disorders or seizure disorders that can cause breathing problems or increase the risk of inhaling oral secretions.
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Sudden Or Excessive Fatigue
Shorter days and reduced sunlight can make you feel tired. Theres a difference between being tired and experiencing extreme fatigue.
Sudden, excessive fatigue is one of the earliest symptoms of the flu. It may appear before other symptoms. Fatigue is also a symptom of the common cold, but its usually more severe with the flu.
Extreme weakness and tiredness may interfere with your normal activities. Its important that you limit activities and allow your body to rest. Take a few days off from work or school and stay in bed. Rest can strengthen your immune system and help you fight the virus.
Hand Foot And Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a highly contagious disease caused by coxsackievirus. Its spread by coming into contact with surfaces contaminated by feces or through contact with the saliva, respiratory secretions, or stool of a person infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Young children are at the highest risk of getting this infection. Symptoms, including sore throat, usually clear up within 10 days.
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Start With Home Remedies For Colds And Flu
You should stay home if youre sick especially if you have a fever. Actually, its always recommended that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone away without the use of fever-reducing medications. Here are some steps you can take at home to feel better:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of fluids .
- Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help lower your temperature, and get some headache or muscle ache relief. Warning: Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu, as it comes with a small risk of causing the potentially fatal Reye Syndrome.
Whats The Outlook For People With Sore Throat And Headache
A sore throat and headache can usually go away within a week. Most of the time, you wont need medical treatment. There are usually no long-term complications.
If you do have strep throat, make sure to take the full course of antibiotics. These drugs treat the infection and prevent complications, including rheumatic fever.
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How To Avoid Spreading The Flu
Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You’re more likely to give it to others in the first 5 days.
Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- bin used tissues as quickly as possible
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
How Are A Rash And Sore Swollen Throat Treated
Treatment for a rash and sore, swollen throat depends on the cause. For example, antihistamine medications can treat a rash and swollen throat caused by an allergic reaction. In severe instances, epinephrine can help reduce swelling in the throat.
While viral infections cant be cured with medication, bacterial infections can. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to reduce a bacterial infections symptoms and duration.
Your doctor also may prescribe or recommend a topical lotion or spray to reduce itching and discomfort from a rash.
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How Is Strep Throat Different From A Sore Throat With A Cold
Strep throat is caused by an infection of streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat spreads by having contact with an infected person’s saliva or nasal secretions. Although strep throat is more common in children ages 5 to 15, it also occurs in adults. To diagnose strep throat, your doctor can check a rapid strep test or send a throat swab to the lab for a culture. In some cases, they may be able to diagnose strep based on your reported symptoms and other signs, such as white spots in the throat area, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Body Aches Or Pains Chills Dizziness And Headache
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/24/2022
Body aches and pains along with chills can accompany fever due to many different types of infections. Dizziness from dehydration and headache are often common symptoms that accompany infections as well. Headache has other causes including migraine and tension headache. If you believe you have signs of an infection that are not improving, seek the advice of your health care provider. Always report any concerning symptoms to your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Urgent Advice: Ask For An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:
You or your child have symptoms of flu and:
- you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- you’re 65 or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- you have a weakened immune system for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after 7 days
When To See A Doctor
Usually, a sore throat without fever will go away on its own, so Keany recommends waiting a few days before seeking medical care as long as your symptoms are mild.
However, you should seek immediate medical care if you have:
- Difficulty breathing
- Noises or whistling when you breath
- Trouble swallowing
- Blood in your saliva or phlegm
- Joint swelling or pain
If your symptoms do not improve within a week or if you frequently experience sore throats with no fever, see your doctor, says Patel.
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Why Do Chills Happen With Fevers
Fevers are often accompanied by “chills”shaking, shivering, and feeling cold. The odd sensation of feeling like you are overheating and freezing at the same time happens because there is a sharp contrast between the environment around you and your body.
When your body temperature is higher than normal, the air around you will feel colder than it usually does. In response, your muscles will rapidly contract and relax to produce body heat. This feels like having “the chills.”
Chills are more common in children and usually come on at the start of an illness such as the flu.
What Does Covid Sore Throat Feel Like
Have COVID-19 questions?
Well, it can feel exactly the same as a cold, according to Brian Curtis, MD, vice president of Clinical Specialty Services for OSF HealthCare. That makes it hard to tell the difference between a cold and a mild case of COVID.
Its even harder to tell the difference knowing that sore throat is a COVID symptom. The common cold and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both the same type of virus called a coronavirus and can cause similar symptoms.
One of the early symptoms of COVID is a fever. However, as different strains of COVID spread, its possible to have a COVID sore throat and no fever or other symptoms.
But, Dr. Curtis said, its more common to have other symptoms in addition to a sore throat if you have COVID.
Only about 5-10% of COVID-19 patients will have an isolated sore throat. Usually, they will have a touch of fever, loss of taste and smell and difficulty breathing.
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Colds Dont Usually Come With A Significant Fever
While you may be running a little warmer, colds rarely come with a significant fever. And while you can still have the flu without a fever, the flu typically comes with a few days above 100° Fahrenheit.
A flu fever will likely come on fast. This is an especially common flu symptom in kids. Keep an eye on the little ones and the elderly, as they will be more susceptible to complications. Also, keep drinking liquids and get lots of rest.
What Is A Normal Body Temperature
A normal body temperature for a healthy adult and older child is around 98.6 degrees F.
For younger children and babies, a normal body temperature depends on how it’s taken.
- If you use a forehead, rectal, or ear thermometer on a child who is a year old or younger, a normal body temperature is between 96.8 degrees F and 100.3 degrees F .
- If their temperature is taken under their arm, it should be below 99 degrees F.
If you or your child has a fever higher than 104 degrees F, seek immediate medical care.
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A Fever From Other Illnesses
There are many other causes of a fever besides the flu virus. Any type of infection, whether bacterial or viral, can cause you to run a fever. Even being sunburned or experiencing heat exhaustion can elevate your temperature. Some types of cancer, certain medications, vaccines, and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may also be accompanied by a fever.
Is It A Cold The Flu Or Covid
Download a printable PDF version of the Common Symptoms of a Cold, the Flu, and COVID-19 infographic .
The common cold, flu, and COVID-19 all have similar symptoms. Knowing the signs of a cold, the flu, and COVID-19 can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
These are common signs, but your symptoms may be more or less severe, or you may only have a few. If you feel sick, stay home and call your doctor to discuss how youre feeling and whether you need to get tested.
Older adults are more likely to become seriously ill from the flu and COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent some of these diseases.
Learn more about the flu and older adults.
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Is My Sore Throat And Headache Due To A Viral Or A Bacterial Infection
If you have both a headache and sore throat, it could be a viral or bacterial infection. They have similar symptoms.
If you have a runny nose, cough and hoarse voice, you most likely have a viral rather than bacterial infection. There are no medications to treat viral infections. The virus will go away on its own. You usually feel better in about a week.
If its bacterial, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, such as penicillin.
What Causes A Rash And Sore Swollen Throat
A rash and sore throat can be inflammatory responses. Your body releases chemicals called histamines when youre exposed to an allergen. While this is meant to be a protective mechanism, histamines can cause a skin rash and a swollen throat.
Sometimes, a rash and swollen throat along with difficulty breathing may indicate a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is usually a result of exposure to something known to cause allergic reactions, such as a bee sting or certain foods.
If you believe you or someone around you is experiencing anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately.
Viral and bacterial infections also can cause a rash and sore throat. These can include the following:
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We’re Here For You 24/7
Whether the treatment is over-the-counter medication, chicken broth or Tamiflu, First Stop Health doctors are here to help you feel better, faster.
If your employer or school provides you with First Stop Health Telemedicine, request a visit to talk to a doctor in minutes.
Questions about COVID-19? Visit our Coronavirus Resource Center.
Originally published Sep 9, 2021 1:36:24 PM.
What Else Could It Be
Did you recently get a new pet and are now experiencing a sore throat? Could be allergies. There are many causes for your sore throat, such as:
- If you also have difficulty swallowing, you should be seen by your physician. If you experience shortness of breath, you should be evaluated. If you have a single lump on one side of your neck, you should get evaluated.
- If your cold symptoms turn out to be due to an actual cold, you need some fluids and rest, and you should be back up in a couple days.
- If youve got a sore throat with a fever, but no runny nose or cough, you might have strep throat. Check for white spots on the tonsils a sign of a secretion caused by inflammation of the tonsils and tender nodes on the front of your neck. Contact your physician.
- If your sore throat is accompanied by a low-grade fever and extreme fatigue, it could be mononucleosis , which is most common in people in their teens and 20s. Contact your physician.
- Influenza can cause a sore throat that is typically very abrupt, and commonly joined by body aches, fevers and headache.
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Youre Having A Panic Attack
Chills can occur if you have a profound or intense emotional reaction to a situation, according to Taroyan. Emotions that might cause chills include fear or anxiety, she says.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 30% of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. A panic attack can cause a combination of physical as well as psychological symptoms, including chills, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness and chest pain. Because of the severity of the symptoms, a panic attack sometimes causes people to think theyre having a heart attack.
If youve never had a panic attack before, seek medical attention. If youve been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, psychotherapy and medication can help.