What's Going Around | Coughing

A little girl gets a check up at her doctor's office.
Choose the health content that's right for you, and get it delivered right in your inbox

A sore throat and cough can be cause for concern this time of year, and rightfully so. Is it Strep or the Flu? Centra Care physicians have diagnosed them all this week, so if you or someone in your household is feeling the pain, it may be best to see a doctor to find out the cause.

The only way to know for sure if the cause of a sore throat is a virus or a bacteria is to get a strep test. Every Centra Care location offers rapid strep tests on-site, without an appointment. If your sore throat is viral in nature, antibiotics won’t help, but there are some things that can help reduce the pain:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids including, warm fluids like herbal teas
  • Gargle with salt-water (mix 2 teaspoons salt to 1 pint water)
  • Take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Spray the throat with over-the-counter products like Cepacol, or try throat lozenges

Seek medical attention immediately if your sore throat is accompanied by a fever over 101 degrees or if you have trouble breathing.

Recent Blogs

A young girl holding the left side of her abdomen in discomfort while sitting at home.
Blog
Norovirus vs. Rotavirus: Symptoms and Treatment
A senior man smiles and shows his arm with bandage after receiving a vaccine in the foreground while a doctor smiles in the background.
Blog
How Long Is the Flu Shot Good?
Blog
Health Screenings to Schedule for the New Year
A woman sneezing into a tissue.
Blog
What Is the Treatment for the Flu?
Blog
Is the Flu Vaccine a Live Virus?
View More Articles