Strep throat often looks like a red, swollen throat and tonsils , sometimes with white patches, streaks of pus, or tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth. A rash can also happen in some cases.

Quick Scoop

Common visible signs include:

  • Red, inflamed tonsils.
  • White spots or streaks on the tonsils or back of the throat.
  • Tiny red dots on the palate.
  • Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck.

Important Note

Strep throat can look a lot like other sore throats, so appearance alone is not enough to diagnose it. A clinician usually needs a test to confirm strep.

When to get checked

Get medical care sooner if you have:

  • Fever.
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Severe throat pain.
  • A rash.
  • Symptoms that come on quickly, especially without cough or congestion.

If you want, I can also show you how strep throat differs from a normal sore throat in a simple side-by-side format.