01/24/2026
🤒 Sore Throat: Strep or Just a Virus? Here’s How to Tell 🦠🩺⠀
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Don’t guess — get the right diagnosis & avoid unnecessary antibiotics.⠀
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Sore throats are one of the top reasons patients visit us at AMA Clinic in Lynn, MA — especially during cold, flu, and allergy season. But not all sore throats are created equal. Some need antibiotics. Most don’t.⠀
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So how can you tell the difference between strep throat (bacterial) and a viral sore throat?⠀
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🦠 Viral Sore Throat Symptoms (No antibiotics needed):⠀
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✔️ Runny or stuffy nose⠀
✔️ Cough or hoarseness⠀
✔️ Low fever (or none)⠀
✔️ Gradual onset of symptoms⠀
✔️ Scratchy, mild pain that gets better in a few days⠀
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🧪 Treatment: Rest, fluids, salt water gargles, over-the-counter relief⠀
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😷 Strep Throat Symptoms (May require antibiotics):⠀
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❗ Sudden sore throat, without cough⠀
❗ Painful swallowing⠀
❗ Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)⠀
❗ Swollen lymph nodes⠀
❗ White patches or red spots on the tonsils⠀
❗ Child with headache, stomachache, or vomiting⠀
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🧪 Need a rapid strep test? We offer it in-office with same-day results.⠀
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📞 Don’t wait and wonder — call AMA Clinic at (781) 581-6181⠀
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We’ll help you figure it out — and get you back to feeling better fast.⠀
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