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Strep throat is a type of tonsillitis. Both conditions can have similar symptoms, though certain symptoms are more likely to occur with one or the other.
You may have heard the terms tonsillitis and strep throat used interchangeably, but this is not accurate. You can have tonsillitis without having strep throat. Tonsillitis may be caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, which is responsible for strep throat, but you could also get tonsillitis from other bacteria and viruses.
Keep reading to learn more about tonsillitis and strep throat.
Tonsillitis and strep throat have many similar symptoms. That’s because strep throat can be considered a type of tonsillitis. But people with strep throat will have additional, unique symptoms.
| Symptoms of tonsillitis | Symptoms of strep throat |
| large, tender lymph nodes in the neck | large, tender lymph nodes in the neck |
| sore throat | sore throat |
| redness and swelling in the tonsils | small red spots on the roof of your mouth |
| difficulty or pain when swallowing | difficulty or pain when swallowing |
| fever | higher fever than in people with tonsillitis |
| stiff neck | body aches |
| upset stomach | nausea or vomiting, especially in children |
| white or yellow discoloration on or around your tonsils | swollen, red tonsils with white streaks of pus |
| headache | headache |
Tonsillitis can be caused by a variety of germs, including viruses and bacteria. It’s most commonly caused by viruses, however, such as:
- influenza
- coronavirus
- adenovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- herpes simplex virus
- HIV
Tonsillitis is only one symptom of these viruses. Your doctor will need to run tests and review all of your symptoms to determine which virus, if any, is the cause of your tonsillitis.
Tonsillitis can also be caused by germs other than viruses. An estimated 15-30 percent of tonsillitis is caused by bacteria. The most common infectious bacteria are group A Streptococcus, which cause strep throat. Other pathogens may cause tonsillitis as well, including:
- Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Chlamydia pneumoniae (chlamydia)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea)
Strep throat is caused specifically by the group A Streptococcus bacteria. No other group of bacteria or virus causes it.
Risk factors for tonsillitis and strep throat include:
- Young age. Tonsillitis caused by bacteria is most common in children ages 5 to 15.
- Frequent exposure to other people. Young children in school or day care are frequently exposed to germs. Similarly, people who live or work in cities or take public transportation may have more exposure to tonsillitis germs.
- Time of year. Strep throat is most common in the fall and early spring.
You can only have tonsillitis if you have tonsils.
In extreme cases, strep throat and tonsillitis can lead to the following complications:
- scarlet fever
- kidney inflammation
- rheumatic fever
You may not need to see a doctor for tonsillitis or strep throat. In most cases, symptoms will resolve within a few days of home care, such as rest, drinking warm liquids, or sucking on throat lozenges.
You may need to see a doctor, however, if:
- symptoms last longer than four days and show no signs of improvement or have gotten worse
- you have severe symptoms, such as a fever over 102.6°F (39.2°C) or difficulty breathing or drinking
- intense pain that won’t subside
- you have had several cases of tonsillitis or strep throat in the past year
Your doctor will ask you about symptoms and do a physical exam. During the physical exam, they will examine your throat for swollen lymph nodes, and check your nose and ears for signs of infection.
If your doctor suspects tonsillitis or strep throat, they will swab the back of your throat to take a sample. They can use a rapid strep test to determine if you are infected with strep bacteria. They can get results within a few minutes. If you test negative for strep, your doctor will use a throat culture to test for other potential bacteria. The results of this test usually take 24 hours.
Learn more: Streptococcal screen »
Based on your test results and symptoms, your doctor should be able to give you a diagnosis.
Most treatments will relieve your symptoms instead of actually treating your condition. For example, you can use anti-inflammatory medications to relive pain from fever and inflammation, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin).
To relieve symptoms of sore throat, you can try these home remedies:
- rest
- drink lots of water
- drink warm liquids, such as broth, tea with honey and lemon, or warm soup
- gargle with salty warm water
- suck on hard candy or throat lozenges
- increase humidity in your home or office by using a humidifier
Tonsillitis
If you have tonsillitis caused by a virus, your doctor will not be able to treat it directly. If your tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Make sure to take antibiotics exactly as directed by your doctor.
Taking antibiotics will also help you reduce your risk of infecting other people. A
In more extreme cases, your tonsils may be so swollen that you can’t breathe. Your doctor will prescribe steroids to decrease inflammation. If that doesn’t work, they will recommend a surgery called tonsillectomy to remove your tonsils. This option is used only in rare cases. Recent research also questions its effectiveness, with one
Strep throat
Strep throat is caused by bacteria, so your doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic within 48 hours of the illness starting. This will reduce the length and severity of your symptoms, as well as the complications and risk of infecting others. You can also use home remedies to manage the symptoms of inflamed tonsils and sore throat.
Tonsillitis and strep throat are both contagious, so avoid being around other people while you’re sick, if possible. With home remedies and lots of rest, your sore throat should clear up in a few days. See your doctor if your symptoms are extreme or persist for a long time.