A sore throat is something most people experience, especially during cold and flu season. But is it just a sore throat, or is it something more? It’s important to know the difference between the flu and strep throat, because they require different treatments.
The flu is a viral infection, whereas strep throat is a bacterial infection. Knowing the difference is key to getting the right treatment.
This article will give you a comprehensive comparison of the flu vs strep throat, including symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention methods.
What are flu and strep throat?
Knowing the basics about flu and strep throat can help you tell the difference between the two.
Understanding influenza (flu)
The flu is a viral infection of your respiratory system, caused by influenza viruses.
Common symptoms include a sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue, fever, and chills.
Understanding strep throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils, caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria (Group A Streptococcus).
Common symptoms include a sudden, severe sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils (often with white patches), and painful swallowing.
Flu vs. Strep Throat: Key Symptom Differences
Both the flu and strep throat can make you feel awful, but there are key differences in their symptoms that can help you tell them apart.
Sore Throat Characteristics
- Flu: A sore throat from the flu is often accompanied by other symptoms of a respiratory illness, such as a cough and congestion.
- Strep Throat: Strep throat usually comes on fast and furious, with a severe sore throat that doesn’t include a cough or nasal congestion.
Fever
- Flu: A fever is common with the flu, but it’s not a sure thing. You can have the flu without having a fever.
- Strep Throat: A high fever is more consistently present with strep throat, and in some cases, the fever can reach as high as 104°F.
Other Distinguishing Symptoms
- Flu: The flu often brings body aches, fatigue, and a headache along for the ride.
- Strep Throat: With strep throat, you may have swollen lymph nodes in your neck, tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth (petechiae), and possibly some nausea or vomiting, especially if you’re a kid.
Symptom Onset
- Flu: Flu symptoms usually come on pretty quickly.
- Strep Throat: A strep throat will usually make itself known suddenly.
Diagnosis: How to Tell the Difference
Because so many of the symptoms of flu and strep throat overlap, it can be difficult to tell them apart. Here are some diagnostic tests your healthcare provider may use:
Physical Examination
Your doctor will check your throat and tonsils for any signs of infection. They will also feel your lymph nodes to see if they’re swollen. They’ll probably ask you about any other symptoms you’re experiencing.
Rapid Strep Test
The rapid strep test can usually return results in just a few minutes. This test looks for antigens from the Group A Streptococcus bacteria in your throat.
Throat Culture
If the rapid strep test comes back negative, but your doctor still suspects strep, they may take a throat culture. The results of a throat culture or PCR test usually take a few days.
Flu Test
A rapid influenza test can detect influenza A and influenza B viruses in a nasal swab sample.
Treatment Options
Strep throat and the flu require different treatment approaches, so it’s important to know what you’re dealing with.
Strep Throat Treatment
Strep throat is a bacterial infection, so it needs to be treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria that are making you sick. Penicillin and amoxicillin are commonly prescribed. If you’re allergic to penicillin, your doctor might prescribe a cephalosporin antibiotic instead.
It’s vitally important to take the full course of antibiotics, even if you start feeling better. Stopping early can allow some bacteria to survive, leading to a recurrence of the infection or contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage fever and pain during a strep throat infection.
Flu Treatment
The flu is a viral illness, so antibiotics won’t help. Antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can shorten the duration and lessen the severity of the flu, but they need to be started early in the illness to be effective.
Mostly, flu treatment focuses on managing your symptoms. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers are the mainstays of care.
Home Remedies for Both Flu and Strep Throat
Regardless of whether you have strep throat or the flu, the following home remedies can help you feel better:
- Rest: Getting plenty of rest is crucial for recovery.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dehydration, especially when you have a fever.
- Sore throat relief: Gargling with warm salt water, using throat lozenges, or drinking warm beverages can soothe a sore throat. Honey can be used for children over 1 year of age, and popsicles can also provide relief.
Prevention and complications
The flu and strep throat are both contagious illnesses, but they’re spread differently and can lead to different complications if left untreated.
Preventing flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of six months get a flu vaccine every year. The flu shot is especially important for people who are at high risk of developing complications from the flu.
Practicing good hygiene can also help prevent the spread of the flu. Wash your hands often, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Preventing strep throat
You can prevent strep throat by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. Avoid sharing utensils or drinks with others.
Potential complications
Untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a kidney disease.
Flu complications can include pneumonia, sinus and ear infections, worsening of chronic conditions, and even heart attacks.
Conclusion
The flu and strep throat share some symptoms, but they are distinct illnesses that require different treatments. Because it can be hard to tell the difference, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis. You can also protect yourself and others by getting a flu shot every year and practicing good hygiene.