You really should go to the doctor and get it checked out if you think it's strep...if you can't afford to go to your regular doctor, maybe there are some low income clinics around that you could go to?
here's what I found doing a google search about strep throat:
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A sore throat can be either an annoying ailment from allergies or a virus, or the symptom of another illness. Strep throat is a contagious disease caused by an infection with Group A Streptococcus (pronounced: strep-toe-kock-cus) bacteria. While anyone can get strep throat, it is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 5 and 16. It is important that you go to a health care provider if you suspect strep, because if left untreated streptococcal throat infections can lead to rheumatic fever and kidney disease.
The symptoms of strep throat vary from person to person. The most common findings include a swollen bright red throat, with dark red spots on the back of the throat, a very sore throat, fever [101? F (38.3? C) to 104? - 105? F (40? C)], and tender swollen lymph nodes under the jaw. Usually the tonsils are red and enlarged. You may also have white pus on your tonsils or your tonsils may be covered with a gray or white coating. It is not uncommon to have a headache, generalized aches and pains, and nausea. The nasal congestion and runny nose associated with the common cold do not usually occur with a strep throat.
Strep is extremely contagious. The strep bacterium is found in the nose and/or throat of infected persons and is spread to the next person through the air with sneezing or coughing. Rarely, people catch strep throat by eating contaminated food. People with strep throat can spread the disease to others until 24 hours after treatment or for 10 to 21 days if untreated.