Strep Throat

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AREFA CASSOOBHOY
You wake up with a burning feeling in your throat, and it hurts to swallow. Do you have a sore throat or the dreaded strep throat? Asking two questions can give you that answer.

Question Number 1. Do you have a cough. If you do, it's probably not strep throat. A cough is usually a symptom of a cold but not strep.

Question Number 2. Do you have a fever? If it's 101 or higher, it could be strep throat. Strep is caused by bacteria, so call your doctor to see if you need antibiotics.

Amazingly, these two questions are almost as effective as lab tests. So before you head to the doctor, give yourself a quick strep test. For WebMD, I'm Dr. Arefa Cassoobhoy.