If you have symptoms such as a fever and a
sore throat, you most likely have either a viral or bacterial infection.
Some clues that a sore throat might be from a virus include:
- A cough
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Irritation of the eyes (conjunctivitis or pink eye)
- Low-grade fever -- lower than 101ºF (38.3ºC)
- Swelling of the lymph glands in the neck.
If you have a bacterial infection, the symptoms will differ from those of a viral infection.
Strep throat is the most common bacterial cause of a sore throat. Besides a sore throat, possible signs or symptoms of strep throat can include:
- A fever above 101ºF (38.3ºC)
- Red and enlarged tonsils
- Tender or swollen lymph glands in the neck
- No other signs of a viral infection (such as a cough, runny nose, or irritation of the eyes).
(Click Sore Throat Symptoms for more information on other symptoms that commonly occur along with a fever and sore throat. This article also describes the different symptoms caused by various infections.)
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