Body aches and strep throat: what to know

Strep throat is a bacterial infection affecting the throat. It may cause sudden throat pain, fever, painful swallowing, headache, body aches and tender swollen glands in the neck. Tonsillitis can produce a similar picture, and viruses can cause many of the same symptoms. Cough, runny nose or hoarseness may point toward a viral illness rather than strep, but symptoms cannot confirm the cause by themselves.

A GP can examine your throat and decide whether a swab or other assessment is appropriate. The result and your clinical picture help determine whether antibiotic treatment is useful.

Rest and drink enough fluid to keep your mouth moist and urine pale. Choose cool or soft foods, and try warm drinks or a salt-water gargle for throat comfort. Use only pain or fever medicine that is suitable for you, following the label and checking for duplicate ingredients in combination products.

If a clinician prescribes antibiotics, take them exactly as directed and do not share leftover medicine. Replace your toothbrush as advised by your clinician if strep is confirmed, and avoid close contact while you are acutely unwell.

Seek urgent help if you cannot swallow fluids, are drooling, have trouble breathing, develop a muffled voice, or have marked one-sided throat swelling. Prompt assessment is also needed for dehydration, confusion, severe weakness or rapidly worsening pain. Arrange a GP consultation when symptoms are severe, recurrent or not improving, or when you need advice about testing and antibiotic treatment.

Do my examination findings suggest strep throat or tonsillitis? Would a throat test change treatment? Which pain-relief options are safe with my medicines? If antibiotics are prescribed, when should I expect symptoms to start easing? What should I do if swallowing becomes harder?