What does strep throat feel like?

Common strep throat symptoms include throat pain, difficulty swallowing, swollen and tender lymph nodes, fever and headache, according to Mayo Clinic. When a person is infected with strep throat, the pain is typically accompanied by white patches or pus streaks on the back of the throat and swollen tonsils.

In younger children, strep throat can also cause vomiting, according to Mayo Clinic. A rash and fatigue can accompany symptoms. Caused by Streptococcal bacteria, strep throat is diagnosed through both a physical exam and lab tests. It is highly contagious and can be transferred from person to person through direct and indirect contact.