Audio
Cold vs. strep: Dr. Joshua Tepper explains how to tell the difference
Toronto family physician Dr. Joshua Tepper says sometimes, strep throat can be quite serious, affecting a patient's heart, joints or kidneys.
This handout image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows an electron microscope image of Group A Streptococcus (orange) during phagocytic interaction with a human neutrophil (blue). The same bacteria that cause simple strep throat sometimes trigger bloodstream or even flesh-eating infections instead, and over the years, dangerous cases have increased. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/Associated Press)
A sore throat may be a symptom of the common cold or it could be something more serious.
Dr. Joshua Tepper, family physician and an associate professor at the University of Toronto, explains the difference between a cold and getting strep throat.
While strep can be easily treated, he said there are times it can be a bigger problem and in same cases, even fatal.
"It can affect your heart, your joints, your kidneys," he said. "It can cause something life-threatening called toxic shock syndrome."
Listen to the whole interview with Tepper:
Family doctor Dr. Joshua Tepper discusses the difference between a cold and strep throat and more serious strain of strep that can be fatal. 4:49
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