His advice comes as the NHS has warned of the potential for a “quademic” in the UK, with rising cases of flu, norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Covid expected to hit the UK.
An expert has highlighted the difference between a sore throat caused by Covid, strep throat and other infections as coronavirus rates remain high in the UK. Around this time of year it is very common to come down with some sort of seasonal illness.
The cold weather coupled with the fact we spend more time indoors with other people makes us especially vulnerable to these kinds of viruses. However, with so many types of illnesses going around at the moment it can be hard to know exactly what is wrong.
According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cases of COVID-19 remain relatively high with 1,081 confirmed cases in the week up to December 4. There were also 122 deaths linked to Covid in the seven days up to November 22.
And the most up to date figures on hospital admissions caused by Covid increased with 1,085 in the week up to November 30, a 1.5 percent rise on the week before. Health experts had previously linked a rise in Covid cases with the emergence of the XEC strain.
The variant, which was first discovered in Germany, is thought to be highly transmissible due to a number of mutations it carries. More recently, the NHS has also warned of the potential for a “quademic” in the UK, with cases of flu, norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Covid expected to affect large swathes of the population this winter.
With this in mind, an expert shared how to tell what your sore throat could be caused by – including other telltale symptoms to be wary of. Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, explained more.
Covid
If your sore throat is accompanied by four other symptoms it could mean you have the XEC variant of Covid, he said. Phil said: “The XEC variant of COVID-19 has added another layer of complexity to the sore throat diagnosis.
“In many cases, a sore throat is one of the initial symptoms, often accompanied by a dry cough, fatigue, fever, and sometimes a loss of taste or smell. While most mild cases can be managed with rest and over-the-counter remedies, it’s crucial to assess whether COVID-19 could be the cause of your symptoms.”
If you think you have Covid, the NHS advice is to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
Strep throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that presents with more severe symptoms. Phil continued: “These include a sudden onset of sharp throat pain, difficulty swallowing, swollen glands, and white streaks or spots on the tonsils.”
He warned it could also cause a high fever, general fatigue and potentially tonsillitis. “It’s important to recognise that unlike a viral sore throat, strep throat requires antibiotics to prevent complications like rheumatic fever,” he said. “This means a GP consultation is necessary for proper diagnosis and prescription, as antibiotics cannot be issued without a confirmed bacterial cause.”
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis can be viral or bacterial, and it’s often characterised by red, swollen tonsils, a fever, and pain when swallowing. “It may also cause bad breath, swollen lymph nodes, and even ear pain,” Phil said.
“Viral tonsillitis is generally managed with supportive care, much like treating a sore throat—rest, hydration, and over-the-counter treatments. However, bacterial tonsillitis, particularly when caused by strep bacteria, requires antibiotic treatment.”
Laryngitis
Laryngitis affects the voice box and can lead to hoarseness, a sore throat, or even a complete loss of voice. Phil added: “This condition is commonly triggered by viral infections, overuse of the voice, or exposure to irritants like smoke.
“While laryngitis typically clears up on its own within a week or two, the discomfort can be bothersome. Pharmacists can offer advice on how to soothe the throat during recovery, such as staying hydrated, using throat lozenges, and resting the voice. Avoiding irritants like smoking and maintaining a humid environment can also help speed up recovery.”
