What does fever feel like with strep throat?

With strep throat, fever often appears with a sore, scratchy throat and pain when swallowing. You may feel flushed, then shivery as your body temperature changes. Headache, swollen neck glands, and reduced appetite can add to the unwell feeling. A thermometer can confirm that your temperature is raised, because touch alone cannot measure fever reliably. Fever also occurs with many infections, so the sensation by itself cannot identify strep throat.

Rest, drink frequent fluids, and choose soft foods if swallowing hurts. Wear light layers and keep the room comfortably cool rather than trying to chill yourself. Follow the label directions for any suitable fever or pain medicine, and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, caring for a child, or taking other medicines. A clinician may examine your throat and decide whether testing or prescription treatment is appropriate.

Arrange medical advice if fever continues, throat pain is worsening, or drinking becomes difficult. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, inability to swallow saliva, marked drowsiness, confusion, severe dehydration, or rapidly increasing swelling in the throat or neck. Children who are unusually sleepy, breathing poorly, or not drinking need prompt assessment.

Ask whether your symptoms need a strep test, which fluids and medicines are suitable for you, and how long to stay home from school or work. Tell the clinician when the fever began, the highest reading you recorded, and whether you have cough, rash, or exposure to someone with a throat infection.