This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor Ear, Nose Throat Doctor - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International Hospital
Tonsillitis and strep throat are diseases of the respiratory tract, with some similar symptoms, so many people are confused between these two diseases. In fact, the causes and locations of these two diseases are completely different.
1. What are tonsillitis and strep throat?
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the palatine tonsils, which can have many causes such as bacteria, viruses... leading to tonsillitis. The tonsils are pink oval-shaped lymph nodes located on the right and left sides of the tonsil fossa of the lateral wall of the pharynx. The palatine tonsils are the largest tonsils in the Waldayer lymphatic ring and can be examined and observed with the naked eye using an endoscope. The tonsils have an immune function, helping microorganisms to not penetrate deep into the lower respiratory tract, so in the tonsils there are many microorganisms that often reside causing tonsillitis, especially in young children. .
Streptococcal pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa caused by a strain of streptococcus bacteria, often caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. The disease is common in children, the course of the disease is often more severe due to viral causes of pharyngitis. Without proper and timely treatment, it can cause complications such as acute glomerulonephritis and rheumatic heart disease.
2. Symptoms of tonsillitis and strep throat
Tonsillitis and strep throat have many similar symptoms, so many people have confusion. However, there are some different symptoms that help distinguish tonsillitis and strep throat such as:
Symptoms of tonsillitis:
Fever: Fever caused by tonsillitis is usually mild or moderate fever, from 38-39 degrees Celsius. The tonsils are swollen, red, and may appear white or yellow pseudomembranous on the tonsils or surrounding area. Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing. Headache Pain and feeling of tightness in the neck. Swollen and painful neck lymph nodes. Epigastric pain may occur. Symptoms of strep throat:
Fever: Usually a high fever above 39 degrees Celsius, compared to tonsillitis usually has a higher fever, people are very tired. Swollen red tonsils because of streptococci is also a common cause of tonsillitis, white patches of pus appear on the surface of the tonsils. Sore throat, painful swallowing. Headache Body aches. Small, red spots appear on the roof of the mouth. Swollen and painful neck lymph nodes. Nausea or vomiting, especially common in young children.
3. Causes and predisposing factors for tonsillitis and strep throat
Causes and favorable factors causing tonsillitis:
Viral: Viruses that cause tonsillitis such as adenovirus, influenza virus, herpes virus, Epstein-Barr virus... Bacterial: There are about 15-30% of causes tonsillitis is caused by group A streptococcus, in addition can be caused by staphylococcus, gonorrhea, chlamydia... Favorable factors: Common age group is children from 5-15 years old, exposed to source of infection. Causes and factors that cause strep throat:
Streptococcal pharyngitis: is a sore throat caused by streptococcus bacteria (scientific name is streptococcus), most commonly bacteria named Streptococcus pyogenes or Streptococcus group A Risk factors for strep throat include: Common in children aged 5-15 years old, common in spring and autumn.
4. Treatment of tonsillitis and strep throat
4.1 Treatment of tonsillitis
Tonsillitis can have many different causes, so treatment depends on the cause.
In case of viral tonsillitis: Treatment is mainly symptomatic treatment, improving resistance such as:
If the fever is above 38.5 degrees Celsius, it is necessary to reduce fever with antipyretic drugs, the type commonly used to reduce fever is Paracetamol, dose 10-15mg/kg body weight. If you have a mild fever that doesn't require medication, wear cool clothes, and apply warm water to your armpits, neck, and groin. Drink plenty of water: Replenish water and electrolytes with oresol. Gargle and gargle with warm physiological saline. Increase the intake of green vegetables, fruit juices, and fruits rich in vitamin C. Bacterial causes:
Treatment of symptoms similar to viral infections. Treatment of the cause: It is necessary to use antibiotics to kill bacteria, usually taking antibiotics for 5-7 days. When taking antibiotics, the signs will gradually decrease within 1-2 days, if there are no signs of disease reduction, it is necessary to return to the doctor to change the drug to suit the causative agent. When tonsillitis often, recurs many times, causes some complications that obstruct the airway, or causes frequent otitis media... Medical treatment does not improve, at this time children are often indicated for surgical removal. tonsils to limit complications.
4.2 Treatment of strep throat
Treatment of the cause: Due to bacteria, it is necessary to treat with antibiotics, the sooner the use, the less the risk of dangerous complications. This streptococcus is still sensitive to beta-lactam antibiotics, so antibiotics of this group are preferred for patients. Symptomatic treatment: Similar to symptomatic treatment in the case of tonsillitis.
5. When do you need a medical facility?
If the patient notices some of the following symptoms, they should go to medical facilities for immediate examination, advice and treatment:
The signs of illness last for more than 4 days, there are no signs of improvement, even even worse after taking the drug. The patient has a fever lasting over 39 degrees Celsius. There are signs of shortness of breath, convulsions due to high fever. The condition of tonsillitis or strep throat that recurs several times a year, or has only been present a short time before. The patient has difficulty eating and drinking water, feels a lot of sore throat beyond tolerance. Tonsillitis and strep throat can be caused by different causes, different disease manifestations and different treatment directions and treatments. As two completely different diseases, it is necessary to distinguish in order to have appropriate treatment, to avoid mistakes that lead to unnecessary antibiotic use or confusion that causes complications of the disease.
Vinmec International General Hospital examines and treats common nasopharyngitis diseases, head and neck tumors, congenital malformations of the ear, nose and throat area with the most optimal internal and surgical methods for patients, both children and adults. Coming to Vinmec International General Hospital, patients will receive a direct, dedicated and professional examination from a team of qualified and experienced medical staff.
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