Can You Tell the Difference Between COVID-19 and Strep Throat?

Cold and flu season is here, there is no denying that. We encourage everyone in the Mooresville area to get plenty of rest, eat well and take care of yourself during this time of year.

While focusing on your health and wellness can go a long way toward keeping you healthy, illnesses can creep in when we least expect them. COVID-19, strep throat and the flu are all possibilities as we head into the colder months.

Our AFC Urgent Care Mooresville team explains more about the similarities and differences between these three infections, so read on to learn more.

How Are Strep Throat, the Flu and COVID-19 Similar?

While they do share certain similarities, all three infections are caused by something different. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-COV2 virus, the flu is caused by a strain of the influenza virus, and strep throat is caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria. The transmission remains the same, however! Interacting with an infected person or touching an infected surface and then touching your face can cause you to get sick in a couple of days.

Your body will start to launch an immune system response when you do get sick, and the initial symptoms for all three illnesses can be similar. A fever, body aches, a headache and a sore throat are all possibilities for all three illnesses. We recommend coming to see us for a rapid test so we can treat you most accurately!

Illnesses That Our Rapid Tests Can Detect

  • COVID-19
  • Influenza
  • Strep throat

How Is Strep Throat Different?

While COVID-19 and the flu can be harder to differentiate, strep throat symptoms will often settle around your throat. Severe pain when swallowing, swollen tonsils and white patches at the back of your throat are symptoms that are typically associated with strep throat. A simple round of antibiotics should have you feeling better in a couple of days.

COVID-19 and the flu share many different symptoms, but the onset and duration is a bit different. You tend to get sick with the flu within two to three days of exposure, while COVID-19 can take up to two weeks to cause symptoms and those symptoms usually last longer in duration. Stop by for a rapid test any day of the week!

Symptoms Shared by COVID-19 and the Flu

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Runny nose
  • Fever

Need help determining what is making you sick? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Mooresville for a rapid test.