Throat Herpes Vs Strep Throat

Tonsillitis Vs Strep Throat

Your child is your everything, and when they come down with an illness, you want to treat them as soon as possible so they can get back to being a happy, healthy kid again. Unfortunately, many parents unknowingly treat the wrong illness. Strep throat is a common concern among parents due to its contagiousness, but this hyper-vigilance may be causing you to misdiagnose your child with strep when they may actually have tonsillitis. How, then, can you know which sickness they have and how to treat it the next time they complain of a sore throat?

A Simple Test Gives Fast Results

A doctor will determine what type of illness you have by asking about symptoms and doing a physical exam. If they think you might have strep throat, they will swab your throat to test for strep throat. There are two types of tests for strep throat: a rapid strep test and throat culture.

A rapid strep test involves swabbing the throat and running a test on the swab. The test quickly shows if group A strep is causing the illness. If the test is positive, doctors can prescribe antibiotics. If the test is negative, but a doctor still suspects strep throat, then the doctor can take a throat culture swab. A throat culture takes time to see if group A strep bacteria grow from the swab. While it takes more time, a throat culture sometimes finds infections that the rapid strep test misses. Culture is important to use in children and teens since they can get rheumatic fever from an untreated strep throat infection. For adults, it is usually not necessary to do a throat culture following a negative rapid strep test. Adults are generally not at risk of getting rheumatic fever following a strep throat infection.

Someone with strep throat should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call the doctor if you or your child are not feeling better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours.

Canker Sore Vs Strep Throat

One of the main differences involving canker sore vs strep throat is what causes them to develop. Although the evidence is unclear, a weakened immune system or vitamin deficiency is what experts believe triggers canker sores. On the other hand, a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat. Their symptoms are also your bases in differentiating these conditions.

The Kangaroo Takeaway?

Compared to one ulcer developing in the mouth, treating a canker sore in throat is more challenging. Using a mouthwash is the best option if the painful sensation in the throat is too much to bear. Furthermore, it is best to consult with your doctor and ask for other opportunities to manage the condition better.

Difference Between Sore Throat And Strep Throat

Sore Throat vs Strep Throat

Sore throat is a common presentation in clinical practice. Mild sore throat is usually caused by viral infections such as in common cold, but it can be resulted from bacterial infections such as streptococcal infection, infectious mononucleosis, recent trauma, or some other cause. As mentioned above strep throat is one of the causes of sore throat and this article points out the differences between these two terms which would be helpful in making the diagnosis.

Sore Throat

Infection/inflammation anywhere in the oropharynx is referred to as sore throat.

Most commonly it is resulted from viral infections, which are short lived and rarely complicated. The other causes of sore throat include trauma, bacterial infections, tumors etc.

Simple sore throat like that resulted from viral infections can be treated with gargling warm salty water, voice rest, and by avoiding air pollution. Analgesics such as paracetamol and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs may be helpful. Bacterial infections must be treated with antibiotics and have to address the complications, as well.

Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by group A streptococci which is commonly seen in children and teens. It accounts for 37% of the sore throat in the children population. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person thus crowding becoming a major risk factor.

What is the difference between Sore Throat and Strep Throat?

Sore Throat Vs Strep Throat Five Things To Know

Signs and symptoms of a sore throat can just as easily be the beginnings of something more serious: strep throat caused by strep bacteria or the inflammation of your voice box caused by viral infection or a bacterial infection. Letâs review the differences and when you need to take action and seek medical care.

Question: Sore throat? Swollen larynx? Losing your voice?

Losing your voice is usually a sign of laryngitis, which is most often caused by a virus and not that serious. However, it can be a nuisance, and if the condition lasts longer than one week, or is accompanied by fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, then visit your doctor or your local urgent care to determine the cause and begin treatment.

Question: What are some of the causes of a sore throat?

A sore throat can be caused by allergens like pollen, dust and food, or sometimes bacterial infections. The most common culprits, however, are flu and viral infections, which donât respond to antibiotics.

Question: When is a sore throat leading to something more serious?

Signs and symptoms of a sore throat can just as easily be the beginnings of something more serious, like strep. Some of the signs include swollen, scratchy throat and tonsils, moderate fever, headache, swollen glands , and mild rash.

Question: What home remedies can help a sore throat?

Question: What are some symptoms of strep throat?

Question: Why does strep throat warrant a visit to your doctor or urgent care?

Herpes Simplex Virus Primary Infection

In children

Symptoms of the primary infection are most likely to develop in children younger than five years old. Symptoms include:

• swollen and irritated gums with small, painful sores in and around the mouth this is known as herpes simplex gingivostomatitis

Herpes simplex gingivostomatitis usually affects young children, but adults can also develop it. It can last 10 to 14 days, with the sores taking up to three weeks to heal. Gingivostomatitis doesn’t usually recur after the primary infection.

In adults

Primary herpes simplex viruses are rare in adults. But the symptoms are similar to those experienced by children.

Symptoms include:

• you’ll usually have a sore throat with or without swollen glands
• you may also have bad breath and painful sores in and around your mouth – these can develop into ulcers with grey or yellow centres

If you develop the herpes simplex virus at an early age, it may be triggered from time to time in later life. It can cause recurring bouts of cold sores.

After the primary infection, the symptoms are usually reduced to just the cold sores themselves.

How It Is Done

• You will be asked to tilt your head back and open your mouth as wide as you can.
• Your doctor will press your tongue down with a flat stick and then examine your mouth and throat.
• A clean cotton swab will be rubbed over the back of your throat, around your tonsils, and over any red areas or sores to collect a sample.
• The sample may also be collected using a throat washout. For this test, you will gargle a small amount of salt water and then spit the fluid into a clean cup. This method gives a larger sample than a throat swab. It may make the culture more reliable.

Sore Throat Without A Runny Nose Hoarseness Cough Or Pink Eye

Viral infections are usually behind most sore throats. Because viruses often attack multiple areas of the respiratory system, they often cause other cold and flu-like symptoms as well.

If you have a sore throat in addition to a runny nose, hoarseness, cough, or pink eye, its likely to be a viral infection. We may prescribe you some medicines to help with the symptoms but viral infections usually resolve on their own with a bit of rest.

On the other hand, if you have a sore throat without any of the above symptoms, it might be strep throat caused by the group A streptococci bacteria.

The Risk Factors For Tonsillitis And Strep Throat

What Types Are There

There are three main types. They are:

• Minor A minor canker sore is the most common. It is usually tiny, similar to a pimple. It heals without scarring in just two weeks.
• Major Compared to a minor canker sore, this type is less common. It can be large and small but round in shape. It is also excruciating and causes scarring when it bursts.
• Herpetiform People might think this type represents the herpes infection however, it is not. Compared to the two types above, herpetiform is uncommon. It has irregular edges but appears in clusters. It also heals on its own without any trace of scarring.

Who Typically Has Strep

Strep throat is most common in school-age children between 5 and 15 years old.

Itâs estimated that approximately 15 to 40 percent of cases of sore throat in this age group are caused by strep bacteria, and there are several million cases of this kind of strep illness in the United States each year.

Maternal And Neonatal Herpes

If a woman is infected with the HSV during pregnancy, it is possible for the virus to be passed on to the newborn baby, normally during delivery. Although this is rare, the resulting neonatal herpes can pose serious risks to newborns.

Signs that a pregnant woman is infected with the herpes simplex virus are the same as those in non-pregnant people. The risk of neonatal herpes is highest in cases where the pregnant woman develops herpes for the first time in the late stages of pregnancy, as the body is unlikely to have the necessary antibodies for combatting the virus. Women with HSV in a latent form, i.e. who have had the virus previously without recurrence, have a very low risk of passing the virus onto the newborn baby.

Good to know: When acute/florid HSV infection is present around the time of the expected date of delivery, a Cesarean birth will usually be recommended before the waters break to avoid the transmission of infection from mother to child.

Signs that a newborn baby has neonatal herpes include:

• Lack of energy
• Blue skin and tongue
• Skin rash.

If there is a suspicion of neonatal herpes, a doctor or midwife should be contacted as a matter of urgency. Treatment will typically involve the use of antiviral drugs administered intravenously over several weeks.

Inflamed Tonsils And Adenoids

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils located in the back of the throat on both sides of the tongue. Tonsils are part of the bodys natural immune system. This tissue captures bacteria and viruses to either prevent them from entering the body or trigger the appropriate immune response. The back of the throat may appear red or swollen or have a white or yellow coating covering the tonsils. The adenoids may also be inflamed and swollen, impeding swallowing and/or breathing. Symptoms include a severe sore throat, painful or difficult swallowing, coughing, headache, fever, chills and swelling of the cheeks and neck. Tonsillitis may also be caused by strep throat. Antibiotic medication is generally prescribed to treat the inflammation . Tonsillitis usually resolves in four to seven days if caused by a virus. Chronic cases of repeated tonsillitis may require surgical removal of the tonsils and/or adenoids . An adenoidectomy may also be recommended for children experiencing chronic ear infections.

What Is Strep Throat

Strep throat is an infection in the throat caused by Streptococcus bacteria. Symptoms are quite visible and they most affect children more than adults in the age group of five to fifteen. They cause immense pain and have persisting symptoms. Common symptoms of this infection are as follows:

• Headache
• Vomiting or nausea in children
• Chills and fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

It causes Scarlet fever evident as a bright red rash in people susceptible to the poisons of the bacteria S. pyrogenes. When left untreated, it is known to cause scarlet fever in one out of ten children. It also leads to rheumatic fever in some cases. This disease affects joints, the heart, the brain, and the skin. Some of the symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Skin lumps
• Fever

It is usually treated with several over-the-counter medications called antibiotics. Usually, penicillin or amoxicillin is used for treating this. While tonsillitis goes away on its own, it is necessary to treat strep throat in the early stages otherwise serious complications may occur. Home remedies for strep throat are almost the same as tonsilitis.

To prevent exposure to this infection, one should wash hands frequently and properly, avoid the sick, and not share utensils or cups with the sick among other preventive measures.

Prevention For Herpes In Throat

Herpes esophagitis is very rare and can be avoided by practicing safe sex. Ways to ensure you are not at risk of spreading or contracting the herpes virus are:

• Using a condom
• Always informing your partner if youâre experiencing a herpes outbreak
• Refraining from sexual relations while experiencing a herpes outbreak

The herpes virus is most contagious during an outbreak, but can be transmitted when no obvious symptoms are present.

Strep Throat Vs Tonsillitis: All You Need To Know

Tonsillitis and strep throat are often viewed as similar illnesses because both infect the inside of your throat. While both these terms are used synonymously, the conditions can be widely differentiated on the basis of their cause and certain symptoms.

Tonsillitis can be caused by several types of viruses and bacterial infections, including the bacteria that cause strep throat. Strep throat is only caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria and never by any other virus or bacteria.

While you can have tonsillitis with or without strep throat, strep throat can never be called tonsillitis.

Read on to understand the causes of tonsillitis and strep throat, similarities, and differences in their symptoms, what is the recommended diagnosis and treatment for each.

Tonsillitis and Its Causes

Tonsils are a pair of round, red balls at the back of your throat, on each side, whose primary responsibility is to act as the body’s first line of defense.

Tonsils trap bacteria, viruses, etc., that enter through the oral cavity and initiate an immune response after recognizing them.

Tonsillitis is the painful inflammation or infection of your tonsils. Tonsillitis can be caused by viruses or bacteria.

a) Viral tonsillitis is caused by a virus and is the most common type of tonsillitis. The same viruses that cause cold or the flu are also responsible for causing tonsillitis. Viral tonsillitis is less serious and in most cases, the symptoms go away on their own.

Causes of Strep Throat

Tonsillitis

Herpes Simplex Eye Infection

The herpes simplex virus can, in some cases, spread to the eye, causing an eye infection. This will often occur when the virus reactivates itself after an initial infection, which may happen randomly or as, among other factors, a result of:

• An illness

• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision.

The infection will usually affect only one eye, though it is possible for it to occur in both.

If any signs of herpes in the eye occur, it is important to seek the advice of a medical professional urgently. If left untreated, the following complications are possible:

• Scarring of the cornea
• Glaucoma, leading to optic nerve damage which may result in blindness
• Loss of vision, though this is rare.

Other Causes And Treatment Options

Tonsillitis can also be caused by other conditions, such as:

• Streptococcus

• Adenoviruses

• Cytomegalovirus

• The Epstein-Barr virus

Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause and is determined by your age, medical history, severity of the condition, and your personal preference. If herpes is the cause of your tonsillitis, treatment will be aimed at controlling the herpes virus and easing discomfort caused by your symptoms.

However, since herpes is not always the cause of tonsillitis, it is best to see a medical professional to determine the cause and suggest an appropriate course of treatment.

If you have oral herpes and are experiencing the symptoms of tonsillitis, visit your local FastMed. Our on-site labs enable us to provide you with test results and treatment options fast and our medical professionals are available 365 days a year to provide you with prompt and personal medical treatment.

Protect Yourself And Others

People can get strep throat more than once. Having strep throat does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. While there is no vaccine to prevent strep throat, there are things people can do to protect themselves and others.

Good hygiene helps prevent group A strep infections

The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before preparing foods or eating.

To prevent group A strep infections, you should:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
• Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you dont have a tissue.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.

You should also wash glasses, utensils, and plates after someone who is sick uses them. These items are safe for others to use once washed.

Wash your hands often to help prevent germs from spreading.

Antibiotics help prevent spreading the infection to others

People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they:

• No longer have a fever
• AND
• Have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours