Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonsillitisandstrep throatare common conditions that cause throat pain. These terms may be interchangeable, but they are two separate conditions.
This article will cover the differences between tonsillitis and strep throat and discuss their symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Tonsillitis and strep throat symptoms are very similar. They both cause throat pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, andswollen lymph nodesin the neck.
However, tonsillitis can also cause a white or yellow coating on the tonsils.Whereas strep throat is more likely to cause small, red spots calledpetechiaeon the roof of the mouth.
Tonsillitis symptoms can include:
If someone has tonsillitis from a viral infection, they may also suffer from common viral symptoms like cough, congestion, and runny nose.
Here is a list of strep throat symptoms:
Other strep throat symptoms, which are more common in children, include headache, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Tonsillitis
The most common viruses and bacteria that cause tonsillitis are:
Tonsillitis is not contagious, but the germs that cause it are. A person who has tonsillitis can pass on the germs that caused their illness but will not necessarily give someone else tonsillitis.
Strep Throat
Strep throat spreads through respiratory secretions or infected skin sores. When someone has been exposed to strep throat, it will take about three to five days for symptoms to develop.
A healthcare provider will diagnose tonsillitis and strep throat in similar fashions with a few unique differences between the two.
A healthcare provider may also perform a strep test if they think someone has a strep infection.
There are two types of strep tests: a rapid strep test and a throatculture. A rapid strep test swabs the throat then processes the swab in the healthcare provider’s office for a quick result.
A throat culture also involves swabbing the throat, but then the swab must go to a lab for processing. The results take longer but can also catch other infections that might have caused the sore throat.
In many cases, a healthcare provider will use a rapid strep test. If the result is positive, then the provider will not use a throat culture. However, if it is negative and the healthcare provider still suspects strep throat, then the swab goes in for a throat culture.
Treatment for tonsillitis and strep throat aims to treat the underlying conditions. Each illness may need different therapies.
Tonsillitis treatment is based on whether the illness is the result of bacteria or viruses, how sick the patient is, how long the illness is expected to last, and the patient’s preference.
Over-the-counter medications like Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can relieve symptoms. Resting, drinking plenty of fluids, gargling salt water, and using a humidifier are other ways to ease them.
15 Evidence-Based Home Remedies for Tonsillitis
Strep throat is a bacterial infection, so antibiotics are the primary treatment. A healthcare provider will likely prescribe eitherpenicillinor amoxicillin.These medications need to be taken as prescribed to work. If stopped too soon, the infection can come back.
Antibiotics should help within a day or two. If symptoms don’t improve within 48 hours of starting antibiotics, contact a healthcare provider.
Home remedies for managing strep throat symptoms can also include:
Strep Throat Complications
Anyone who suspects they have strep throat should seek a diagnosis and prompt treatment. Although strep throat is a common illness, there are serious complications if it is not sufficiently treated. One serious complication of untreated strep throat isrheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can affect the heart, brain, skin, and joints.
Other strep throat complications include:
Preventing tonsillitis and strep throat may not always be possible. But there are several ways to help decrease the likelihood of getting sick and developing a sore throat.
There is no medication or vaccine to preventtonsillitis. Here are a few ways to avoid tonsillitis:
No medication or treatment canprevent strep throat. However, there are a few steps that can help reduce the likelihood of catching it.
Summary
Tonsillitis and strep throat share many symptoms, such as sore throat, painful swallowing, and fever. The key difference between these two illnesses is that strep throat only results from the group AStreptococcusbacteria.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsStrep throat is throat soreness that can result from a group AStreptococcusbacterial infection. Tonsillitis refers to the swelling of the tonsils, which can result from bacteria or viruses.Because bacterial infection causes strep throat, it requires treatment with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications that can affect the kidneys, heart, and brain.
Strep throat is throat soreness that can result from a group AStreptococcusbacterial infection. Tonsillitis refers to the swelling of the tonsils, which can result from bacteria or viruses.
Because bacterial infection causes strep throat, it requires treatment with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications that can affect the kidneys, heart, and brain.
6 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.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Strep throat, sore throat or tonsillitis: what’s the difference?
MedlinePlus.Tonsillitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tonsillitis.
MedlinePlus.Strep throat.
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