Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsComplicationsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
Treatment
A sore throat is a common symptom of several illnesses, includinginfectious mononucleosis (mono)and astreptococcus infection (strep throat).
While both mono and strep produce a sore throat, they are distinct conditions with different additional symptoms and treatments.
It’s important to know what to look for and how to handle each condition. Be sure to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
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Causes Of MonoEpstein-Barr virus (EBV)Cytomegalovirus (CMV)Causes Of Strep ThroatGroup A streptococcus (group A strep) bacteria
Causes Of MonoEpstein-Barr virus (EBV)Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Causes Of Strep ThroatGroup A streptococcus (group A strep) bacteria
Group A streptococcus (group A strep) bacteria
Mono Causes
Mono is most common among teenagers and young adults. In fact, at least one in four teenagers and young adults who contract EBV will develop mono from the infection.People of any age can still get mono, including children.
Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it is spread through bodily fluids. It is usually spread via saliva; rarely, EBV infection can be contracted during blood transfusions or organ transplantation.
How Are Mono and Strep Throat Diagnosed?In addition to a physical examination and a discussion about symptoms, healthcare providers can do a blood test to look for mono and/or do a throat swab to run arapid strep test or do a cultureto look for strep throat.
How Are Mono and Strep Throat Diagnosed?
In addition to a physical examination and a discussion about symptoms, healthcare providers can do a blood test to look for mono and/or do a throat swab to run arapid strep test or do a cultureto look for strep throat.
Strep Throat Causes
Anyone can get strep throat, but it is most common in children and teenagers.
Untreated strep throat is more likely to spread when the symptoms are most severe, but can still infect others for up to three weeks.
Others can get sick if they:
Symptoms Of MonoSore throatExtreme fatigueFeverSwollen lymph nodesHead and body achesLoss of appetiteSwollen spleen and/or liverRashPetechiae (pinpoint red or purple spots) on roof of mouthRed and swollen tonsils (sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus)Symptoms Of Strep ThroatFeverSore throatRed and swollen tonsilsSwollen lymph nodesPetechiae on roof of mouth"Strawberry" look to tongueGenerally feeling illNausea, stomach pain, and/or loss of appetite"Sandpaper" body rash
Symptoms Of MonoSore throatExtreme fatigueFeverSwollen lymph nodesHead and body achesLoss of appetiteSwollen spleen and/or liverRashPetechiae (pinpoint red or purple spots) on roof of mouthRed and swollen tonsils (sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus)
Sore throat
Extreme fatigue
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Head and body aches
Loss of appetite
Swollen spleen and/or liver
Rash
Petechiae (pinpoint red or purple spots) on roof of mouth
Red and swollen tonsils (sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus)
Symptoms Of Strep ThroatFeverSore throatRed and swollen tonsilsSwollen lymph nodesPetechiae on roof of mouth"Strawberry" look to tongueGenerally feeling illNausea, stomach pain, and/or loss of appetite"Sandpaper" body rash
Red and swollen tonsils
Petechiae on roof of mouth
“Strawberry” look to tongue
Generally feeling ill
Nausea, stomach pain, and/or loss of appetite
“Sandpaper” body rash
Mono Symptoms
Symptoms of mono vary. They can be mild or severe, and they tend to come on gradually.
Symptoms of mono usually begin four to six weeks after infection with EBV, and may last for four weeks or longer.
Symptoms of mono include:
Less common symptoms include:
What Else Can Cause a Sore Throat?
Bacterial infections like tonsillitis and some sexually-transmitted infections can also cause a sore throat.
A tumor or cancer can also cause a sore throat, but this is rare and lasts longer than the typical duration of a sore throat.
Strep Throat Symptoms
Symptoms ofstrep throatinclude:
Symptoms that are not common with strep throat, and likely suggest a viral infection include:
Complications of MonoLong-term fatigueRuptured spleenLiver involvementKidney inflammationNervous system problemsHemolytic anemiaHeart problemsObstruction of airwaysComplications of Strep ThroatAbscessesSinus infectionsSwollen lymph nodesEar infectionsRheumatic feverScarlet feverPoststreptococcal glomerulonephritisGuttate psoriasisPoststreptococcal reactive arthritisStreptococcal toxic shock syndrome
Complications of MonoLong-term fatigueRuptured spleenLiver involvementKidney inflammationNervous system problemsHemolytic anemiaHeart problemsObstruction of airways
Long-term fatigue
Ruptured spleen
Liver involvement
Kidney inflammation
Nervous system problems
Hemolytic anemia
Heart problems
Obstruction of airways
Complications of Strep ThroatAbscessesSinus infectionsSwollen lymph nodesEar infectionsRheumatic feverScarlet feverPoststreptococcal glomerulonephritisGuttate psoriasisPoststreptococcal reactive arthritisStreptococcal toxic shock syndrome
Abscesses
Sinus infections
Ear infections
Rheumatic fever
Scarlet fever
Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
Guttate psoriasis
Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
Mono Complications
Complications of mono are rare, but can include:
Strep Throat Complications
Complication from strep throat can happen if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body. Serious complications from strep throat are uncommon.
Complications can include:
No cure/do not use antibiotics
Rest
Drink fluids
Over-the-counter pain medicines
Avoid sports and strenuous activity
Antibiotics
Drink warm and/or cold liquids
Take over-the-counter pain medicines
Cool mist humidifier
Eat soft foods
Mono Treatments
There is no vaccine or cure for mono.
People with mono should not take penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin or amoxicillin as they will not be effective and can cause a rash in people who have mono.
Mono will go away on its own, with symptoms gradually improving after about four weeks (fatigue may last longer).
To help manage symptoms and prevent serious complications, people with mono can:
Medical treatment for some symptoms may be necessary, such as corticosteroids when needed to reduce swelling of the throat and tonsils.
Most people only get mono once, but EBV stays in the system for life, and can reactivate from time to time. Unless someone has a weakened immune system, these reactivations rarely cause symptoms, but people may unknowingly spread the reactivated virus to others.
Strep Throat Treatments
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, usuallypenicillinor amoxicillin. Other antibiotics can be given if there are allergies to the first-choice antibiotics.
Antibiotics help to:
Antibiotics are usually prescribed for about a 10 day course of treatment, and must be taken for the full course, even when symptoms are gone.
Strep throat usually stops being contagious once the fever is gone and antibiotics have been taken for 24 hours or more. Antibiotics need to be continued until the prescribed course is done, but people can return to school, work, etc. once they feel well and are no longer contagious.
To help relieve symptoms, people can:
Can Mono and Strep Throat Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent both is to practice good hygiene:
A Word From Verywell
While both mono and strep throat both cause a sore throat, they are different conditions with different causes, treatments, and potential complications.
Both conditions are usually not serious, but both can have potentially serious complications, some of which are long-term.
If you suspect you or your child has either mono or strep throat, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and course of treatment,
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9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Infectious mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (mono).Centers For Disease Control.About strep throat.KidsHealth.Strep throat.Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis (mono): symptoms, treatment & diagnosis.Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (infectious): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Nationwide Children’s.Strep throat (bacterial): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Mount Sinai.Strep throat information.KidsHealth.Mononucleosis (mono) (for parents).
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Infectious mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (mono).Centers For Disease Control.About strep throat.KidsHealth.Strep throat.Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis (mono): symptoms, treatment & diagnosis.Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (infectious): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Nationwide Children’s.Strep throat (bacterial): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Mount Sinai.Strep throat information.KidsHealth.Mononucleosis (mono) (for parents).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Infectious mononucleosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (mono).Centers For Disease Control.About strep throat.KidsHealth.Strep throat.Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis (mono): symptoms, treatment & diagnosis.Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (infectious): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Nationwide Children’s.Strep throat (bacterial): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.Mount Sinai.Strep throat information.KidsHealth.Mononucleosis (mono) (for parents).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Infectious mononucleosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis (mono).
Centers For Disease Control.About strep throat.
KidsHealth.Strep throat.
Cleveland Clinic.Mononucleosis (mono): symptoms, treatment & diagnosis.
Nationwide Children’s.Mononucleosis (infectious): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Nationwide Children’s.Strep throat (bacterial): symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Mount Sinai.Strep throat information.
KidsHealth.Mononucleosis (mono) (for parents).
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