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Is a viral infection contagious when it is a severe sore throat?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Sore throats may be caused by either bacteria or viruses.
Viruses often give symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and cough -- but not always. Bacteria (strep) usually are not associated with these "cold" symptoms.
It is impossible to tell just by looking at the throat whether it is a virus or strep throat. You have to swab it. Currently, there are no antibiotics that work well against viruses that typically cause a sore throat. That's okay because the body gets rid of this on its own, so all you have to do is treat the symptoms like the pain.
Strep throat needs antibiotics to cure it. A person with strep throat is considered non-infectious after the first 24 hours of antibiotics. If your child has strep throat she should stay away from others until that 24 hours is up.
Viruses, on the other hand, are most infectious usually before you have symptoms, such as a sore throat so it is not necessary to keep your child home if she only has a viral sore throat. For many reasons I believe it is important not to treat a "strep throat" based upon observation alone. The throat should be swabbed for culture.
Giles Wiegand
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoYes, almost anything viral is very contagious.
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What is sturck throat?
There is nothing commonly known as struck throat. There however is strep throat which is a contagious viral infection which makes ones throat hurt.
How do you catch viral throat infections?
Viral throat infection is airborne.
Are all bacterial infections non contagious and viral infections contagious?
Both bacterial infections and viral infections can be contagious or not contagious. Some viral infections are not spread from human to human or are only rarely spread that way. TB is a contagious bacterial infection.
Is viral atypical pneumonia contagious?
See related links. Known viral causes of atypical pneumonia are severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and measles. Both of these viral conditions are contagious.
What is the recuperation time for a viral infection in the throat?
Sore throat caused by a viral infection generally clears up on its own within one week with no complications. The exception is mononucleosis.
Impetigo is a highly contagious viral skin infection?
No, it's a highly infectious bacterial skin infection.
Why is there pain with a sore throat?
If there is a viral or bacterial infection of the throat, the infection causes damage on a cellular level, which triggers a reaction in pain-sensing nerves.
The highly contagious bacterial infection known as pinkeye is caused by bacterial or viral irritation of the what?
conjunctiva
Is a highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord that sometimes leads to paralysis?
Poliomyelitis
Is a viral chest infection contagious?
It depends on what virus it is. Some viruses, like the West Nile virus, aren't contagious. Other viruses are contagious.Yes, viral infections are contagious. If you cough on somebody or kiss someone you could spread it.
Is strep throat a viral bacterial or fungal infection?
Bacterial. Streptococcus or 'strep' is the type of bacterium.
Do you cough and sneeze when you have strep?
No you don't, if you do then its just a viral infection in the throat area is is easier to get rid of.
