While symptoms of a sore throat and strep throat have several similarities, they can be differentiated by taking a closer look at their symptoms. When a sore throat is caused by a cold or virus, typical cold symptoms are usually present, such as: - Runny nose - Cough - Red or watery eyes - Sneezing Strep throat symptoms usually are more severe than a sore throat caused by a virus, and can include any of the following: - Sudden sore throat - Red tonsils with white spots - Pain when swallowing - Fever - Swollen neck glands - Loss of appetite - Headache - Abdominal pain