| | Dental Health | Gum Disease
Strep Throat vs. Tonsillitis: Key Differences
Strep throat is a specific bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep). Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which can be viral or bacterial.
Comparison
| Feature | Strep Throat | Tonsillitis |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Group A Strep only | Viral (adenovirus, EBV, etc.) or bacterial (Strep, others) |
| Onset | Abrupt | Variable |
| Fever | High (>101°F/38.3°C) | Variable |
| Cough | Absent | Common (viral) |
| Exudates | Common (white patches) | Common (bacterial) |
| Lymphadenopathy | Tender anterior cervical | Variable |
| Treatment | Penicillin/amoxicillin | Supportive (viral); antibiotics if bacterial |
Strep can cause tonsillitis, but most tonsillitis is viral. Rapid strep test or throat culture confirms strep. Untreated strep risks rheumatic fever and peritonsillar abscess.
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