Angina or covid-19, how can you tell the difference?

With nine million cases of angina diagnosed every year in France, it's difficult to distinguish between a sore throat caused by angina or Covid-19. Viruses attack our immune systems, causing different symptoms. Treatments need to be tailored to your particular condition. However, self-diagnosis can be complicated. Teleconsultation is the ideal solution.

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Similarities and differences between these two diseases

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Viral in origin, angina and COVID-19 cause complications for your body. The immune system fights the virus, resulting in a rise in body temperature. The respiratory tract is put to the test. Angina is known for its inflammation of the tonsils. Angina can be white or red, depending on the color of your tonsils.

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The difficulty lies in differentiating the symptoms of COVID-19, which vary from patient to patient. The majority of infected people will have benign difficulties, while other patients will develop more severe forms.

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On the one hand, the most common symptoms of strep throat are sore throat, high fever and swollen glands. On the other hand, COVID-19 causes acute fatigue, coughing and muscular problems.

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Common symptoms of angina and COVID-19

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The symptoms of COVID-19 are more akin to the flu than to angina. However, it's important to be aware of the symptoms common to both angina and covid to distinguish between the two.

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Sore throat

The main symptom ofangina is a sore throat resulting from inflammation of the tonsils. If you feel pain at the back of your throat and have trouble swallowing, chances are you've got angina.

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In the case of Covid-19, sore throats may occur. However, they are less painful than sore throat. However, a dry, unpleasant cough is common when you're positive for COVID-19, resulting in an unpleasant feeling at the back of the throat.

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Fever

Fever is the most common symptom of strep throat and Covid-19. Indeed, a rise in body temperature is one of the consequences of a viral or bacterial infection. Fever is your body's reaction to the infection. In general, for strep throat and Covid-19, the temperature fluctuates between 38° and 40°.

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Coughing

Coughing is a symptom common to both angina and Covid-19.

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Fatigue

Infectious disease frequently leads to body fatigue.Accumulating headaches and inflammatory syndromes are the cause. However, a person carrying the Covid-19 virus will experience intense fatigue during the acute phase.

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It is advisable to make a diagnosis by teleconsultation with one of our general practitioners.

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The differences between angina and COVID-19

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COVID-19 has diverse symptomatological consequences, with both asymptomatic and severely symptomatic individuals. However, there are major fundamental differences between angina and Covid-19.

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Loss of sense of smell and taste

Anosmia, or loss of smell, is a typical symptom of a Covid-19 infection. This phenomenon is explained by inflammation of the epithelium attacking your olfactory mucosa.

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Moreover, it is coupled with partial or total loss of taste. Agueusia is characteristic of Covid-19. Other viral infections never cause this type of symptom.

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Aches and pains

Aches and pains and backache are distinctive features of Covid-19. Angina rarely gives rise to these symptoms. The muscle pain associated with coronavirus infection translates into weakness throughout your body, as well as sudden, severe fatigue.

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Origin of infection: bacteria or virus

There are two types of angina: bacterial and viral. The vast majority of adults are infected by viral angina, known as rhinovirus, transmitted through the air or by contact with a contaminated individual. Strep throat is caused by streptococcus bacteria. In this case, a doctor will prescribe a course of penicillin-based antibiotics. Covid-19, on the other hand, is caused by a virus: SARS-CoV-2, a member of the coronavirus family.

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Angina or Covid-19: how can you be sure?

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Do I have angina or Covid-19? The symptoms of Covid-19 are more severe than angina. Today, no one dies of angina, unlike Covid-19.

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Perform a PCR or antigen test for Covid-19

How can I be sure to distinguish between COVID-19 and angina? You need to carry out a medical test: PCR or antigenic test. Find out more at your nearest screening center. Samples can be taken by RT-PCR, antigenic test or saliva.

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Teleconsult a doctor

Teleconsultation has become widely available in France, enabling us to respond to emergencies and the lack of local doctors in rural areas. Tessan offers you teleconsult a GP without an appointment in less than 15 minutes at your nearest pharmacy. He or she will diagnose your state of health, determine the origin of your infection and adapt a treatment accordingly.

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Telemedicine does not require any advance payment, thanks to full third-party payment.

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What to do to limit the risk of contagion

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Even before you go to the pharmacist to pick up your prescribed medication. It's your duty toadopt the right barrier measures:

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• Put on your mask ;
• Hand hygiene ;
• Cough into the crease of the elbow or into a handkerchief.

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Their mode of propagation is similar, since they are both contagious infections. That's why it's important to limit the risk of contagion by observing public health measures.

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