It doesn’t matter the cause: sore throats are never fun! But knowing when you simply need to sip some tea or when a sore throat is a sign of a more serious infection, like Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat), can be tricky.
At Grassroots Healthcare in Tulsa, Oklahoma, led by internal medicine physician Dr. Melita Tate, our care team specializes in diagnosing and treating sore throats. And, our in-house testing allows us to tell you if your sore throat requires medical treatment.
We know telling when your sore throat might be strep can be challenging. Keep reading to learn more about strep and information about when to contact the team at Grassroots Healthcare for an evaluation.
People get sore throats for many different reasons. The causes range greatly, from being dehydrated to having a serious infection. In fact, anything that irritates your throat can trigger pain.
Some of the most common causes of sore throats aren’t infectious. Things like environmental factors (chemicals, dry air, smoke), dehydration, allergies, and acid reflux can all make your throat sore.
Many types of infections, both viral and bacterial, can also make your throat sore. This includes common bugs and illnesses, such as:
Your sore throat may need medical attention whether or not it’s caused by an infection. For example, postnasal drip can cause sore throats and treating your allergies may help alleviate your pain. That’s why seeing a medical provider for a sore throat is never a bad idea.
The bacteria that causes the condition, Streptococcus pyogenes, gives strep throat its name. This bacteria is highly contagious and you can get infected when you have close contact with someone who has strep throat or touch something with infected droplets on it.
It’s challenging to know if you have strep throat unless you have a throat swab to check for the bacteria. This is because strep throat symptoms range in severity from mild to extreme, and are shared with many other causes of sore throats.
That being said, there are things to look for that may indicate you have strep throat. These include:
Keep in mind that if you have strep throat, you need an antibiotic to prevent complications, like rheumatic fever or sepsis, and to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease.
At Grassroots Healthcare, we know our patients can’t schedule when a sore throat will hit. That’s why we offer comprehensive urgent care services to help you manage your sore throat quickly and effectively.
Our urgent care services focus on getting you prompt diagnosis and care for your sore throat. You can call our office or reserve an appointment at our Tulsa clinic using our convenient online booking tool, and we’ll connect you with a Grassroots Healthcare team member as soon as possible.
The right treatment for your sore throat depends on the underlying cause. If strep throat turns out to be the reason your throat hurts, your provider may prescribe antibiotic medications to treat the infection.
Pinpoint the underlying cause of your sore throat and get the effective treatment you need fast by contacting the team at Grassroots Healthcare in Tulsa, Oklahoma, or visiting our urgent care clinic for same-day assistance.
