I don't know if i'm getting a cold or strep. what are some symptoms of strep throat in the early stages?

See below: Strep throats usually start with a sore throat and headache. This is followed by fever, pus or exudate on the throat or tonsils and enlarged lymph nodes at the angles of the jaw. A cold or viral URI usually doesn't cause fever, pus or enlarged painful lymph nodes. Its not easy for even an experienced doctor to always know the difference so when in doubt we check a rapid strep test.