How do I know if I have a bacterial or viral throat infection?

Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.

How do I know if my sore throat is viral or bacterial?

A viral sore throat is typically accompanied by other cold-like symptoms, such as cough, sneeze, runny nose and a hoarse or raspy voice. “A strep infection can make it feel very painful to swallow, and often comes with fever of 101-degrees or higher,” said Schairer.

How do I know if I have a bacterial infection throat?

How do you tell if an infection is viral or bacterial?

What does a bacterial throat infection feel like?

Strep throat infection

Throat pain that usually comes on quickly. Painful swallowing. Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)

Is Your Sore Throat Caused by Bacterial Infection or Viral?

What kills a bacterial throat infection?

Management and Treatment

Strep throat treatment includes antibiotics. An antibiotic is a type of medicine that kills the bacteria that cause an infection. Penicillin and amoxicillin are common antibiotics healthcare providers use to treat strep throat.

What does a viral throat infection feel like?

Sore throat symptoms

a painful throat, especially when swallowing. a dry, scratchy throat. redness in the back of your mouth. bad breath.

How do I know if I need antibiotics?

Testing. A lab test is the only ironclad way to determine if you truly need an antibiotic. A physician can collect a sample of bodily gunk (whatever you can cough up or blow out of your nose) or take a throat swab. In general, a culture, in which bacteria are grown in the lab and tested, can take a day or two.

What are 5 common symptoms of a bacterial infection?

Can you get rid of a bacterial infection without antibiotics?

Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics.

Do you need antibiotics for bacterial sore throat?

Since bacteria cause strep throat, antibiotics are needed to treat the infection and prevent rheumatic fever and other complications.

What happens if you don't treat a bacterial throat infection?

Complications Caused By Untreated Strep Throat

Otitis media—when strep throat bacteria move into the inner ear and cause an ear infection. Bacteria in the inner ear can cause severe pain, dizziness and nausea. Meningitis—occurs when the fluid surrounding the membranes of the brain and spinal cord become infected.

How long does a bacterial throat infection last without antibiotics?

They may help reduce pain and inflammation within one to two days. When not taking antibiotics, bacterial infections and the sore throats they cause may last anywhere from a week to 10 days. Sore throats caused by bacteria can sometimes be associated with a more serious illness.

Will a bacterial throat infection clear on its own?

Strep throat typically goes away within three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. If strep throat is not treated with antibiotics, you may be contagious for two to three weeks and at a higher risk for complications such as rheumatic fever.

Will a viral throat infection go away on its own?

Most sore throats are caused by viral infections such as the common cold or the flu. These throat problems are generally minor and go away on their own.

What are the top 3 bacterial infections?

What happens if you take antibiotics without needing it?

If you take an antibiotic when you don't need it – for example, when you have a cold or the flu – it can make you feel worse and make your illness last longer. In fact, when used the wrong way, antibiotics can cause more severe illnesses like diarrhea, nausea and rashes.

What to avoid while on antibiotics?

Don't: Take antibiotics with milk or fruit juice

These products can interact with antibiotics and affect how your body absorbs them. Be careful with grapefruit and citrus juices, and wait at least three hours after taking your prescription before consuming dairy products.

How long are you contagious with a bacterial infection?

You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, but this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them, or if you're taking other medicine that interacts with the antibiotics.

What kills a viral sore throat?

How long are you contagious with a viral sore throat?

Most people will be contagious for up to 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.

How long until viral sore throat goes away?

Viral pharyngitis often goes away in five to seven days. If you have bacterial pharyngitis, you will feel better after you have taken antibiotics for two to three days. You must take your antibiotic even when you are feeling better. If you don't take all of it, your sore throat could come back.

How contagious is bacterial throat infection?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus or “group A strep.” People who are sick with strep throat are very contagious.

When should I be worried about a sore throat?

In most cases, your sore throat will improve with at-home treatment. However, it's time to see your doctor if a severe sore throat and a fever over 101 degrees lasts longer than one to two days; you have difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids; or a red rash appears.