Tonsillitisandstrep throatare common conditions that cause throat pain.
These terms may be interchangeable, but they are two separate conditions.
Illustration by Jiaqi Zhou for Verywell Health
Symptoms
Tonsillitis and strep throat symptoms are very similar.
Illustration by Jiaqi Zhou for Verywell Health
They both cause throat pain, fever, difficulty swallowing, andswollen lymph nodesin the neck.
Causes
The primary difference between tonsillitis and strep throat is in what causes each.
Both conditions are because of an infection in the throat and surrounding tissues, but the infections differ.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is typically brought on by aviral infection.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is only brought on by the group AStreptococcusbacteria.
However, strep bacteria can cause more than just strep throat.
Strep throat spreads through respiratory secretions or infected skin sores.
Tonsillitis is inflammation of thetonsils, which several different viruses and bacteria can cause.
A healthcare provider will diagnose tonsillitis by asking health history questions and performing a physical exam.
Tonsillitis is primarily diagnosed by looking at the tonsils.
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.
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.
Treatment
Treatment for tonsillitis and strep throat aims to treat the underlying conditions.
Each illness may need different therapies.
Tonsillitis caused bybacteriawill need anantibioticto treat it.
If the cause is viral, there is no specific treatment other than symptom management.
Over-the-counter medications like Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can relieve symptoms.
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.
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:
Prevention
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.
The key difference between these two illnesses is that strep throat only results from the group AStreptococcusbacteria.
Strep may cause tonsillitis, but so can other bacteria and viruses.
A healthcare provider will need to diagnose strep throat and then treat it with antibiotics.
Tonsillitis may require medication depending on what is causing the illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Strep throat, sore throat or tonsillitis: what’s the difference?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About group A strep infection.
