Common symptom could be sign of Covid XEC strain, strep throat, tonsillitis or laryngitis

Having a sore throat can be a common symptom of many different illnesses. According to one health expert, there is a way you can tell the difference between a sore throat caused by Covid, strep throat and other infections.

It is very common to contract some sort of seasonal illness at this time of the year. Coronavirus rates also remain high in the UK.

The cold weather and spending more time indoors with others makes us more vulnerable to viruses. But sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what is wrong.

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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, Mirror reports.

Hospital admissions caused by Covid increased, with 1,085 in the week up to November 30 - a 1.5 per cent rise on the week before. Health experts previously linked a rise in Covid cases with the emergence of the XEC strain.

The variant was first discovered in Germany and is thought to be highly transmissible due to a number of mutations it carries. TheNHSalso 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 parts of the population this winter.

Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, has now shared how you can tell what your sore throat might be caused by.

Covid

If your sore throat is accompanied by four other symptoms it could mean you have the XEC variant of Covid. 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.”

According to the NHS, you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better if you think you have COVID.

Strep throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection which has more severe symptoms. Phil said: "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. He added: "It’s important to recognise that unlike a viral sore throat, strep throat requires antibiotics to prevent complications like rheumatic fever.

"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. Symptoms often include red, swollen tonsils, a fever, and pain when swallowing.

Phil said: "It may also cause bad breath, swollen lymph nodes, and even ear pain. 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 said: "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."