A sore throat can feel like just another nuisance, but what if it’s something more serious? With conditions like mononucleosis and strep throat lurking behind the scenes, it’s crucial to know when to take action. The last thing you want is to brush off a serious illness as just a common cold! Here are seven telltale signs that your sore throat might require an ER visit—don’t ignore them!
Mono vs. Strep Throat: The Differences You Need to Know:
First off, the biggest difference lies in the cause. Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), while strep throat is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria. This distinction matters because it affects how each condition is treated. Spoiler alert: antibiotics won’t help with mono! So then how do you tell the difference? How do you know when it’s serious enough to seek medical attention?
The nickname comes from the fact that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mono, is spread through saliva. You can get mono by kissing someone who has it, or by sharing a glass or utensils with them. You can also get mono by sitting close to someone who has EBV and is coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headaches and body aches
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
- Swollen liver or spleen or both
- Rash
Enlarged spleen and a swollen liver are less common symptoms. For some people, their liver or spleen or both may remain enlarged even after their fatigue ends.
While most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks, some may feel fatigued for several more weeks. Occasionally, the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis can last for 6 months or longer.
Strep Throat
Group A Streptococcus (group A strep bacteria) cause strep throat and is contagious.
Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Pain when swallowing
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Sore throat that started very quickly and may look red
- Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
- Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae
- White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils
Less common symptoms, especially for children, may include:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rash (scarlet fever)
- Stomach pain
Complications can occur after a strep throat infection if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body.
Complications can include:
- Abscesses (pockets of pus) around the tonsils or in the neck
- Ear infections
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease)
- Rheumatic fever (a disease affecting the heart, joints, brain, skin)
- Sinus infections
When Should You Go to The Emergency Room for Strep Throat?
Sore throats and fevers are common symptoms of many mild illnesses. However, you may require emergency care if they are accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Inability to swallow
- Loss of voice
- Inability to fully open your mouth
- High fever
- Swelling on either side of your throat
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms alongside a sore throat, do not wait to be seen by a medical professional. If left untreated, the virus or bacteria causing your symptoms can lead to serious health problems in other parts of the body. Get to your neighborhood Surepoint Emergency Center today for quick diagnostic tests to check if a sore throat is caused by group A Streptococcus, or any other bacteria/virus, so that swift therapy can be prescribed.
Surepoint Emergency Center is a modern emergency medical facility open 24/7. As an alternative to the traditional hospital ER experience, we offer convenience and minimal wait time, along with highly-trained emergency medical staff and state-of-the-art equipment.
Our top priority is bringing high-quality emergency care, quickly and easily to your family. We are committed to making patients feel better faster in a comforting and compassionate environment.
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