what is the difference between a bacterial and viral sore throat?
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Sore throat symptoms are typically caused by inflammation due to a virus like the common cold. However, about 15 percent of sore throats are caused by bacteria called streptococcus, or strep. Strep throat requires treatment with an antibiotic, while viral causes of sore throat do not.
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The sore throat may be mild, but it is often very sore, red, and swollen, similar to that of tonsilitis. If a person has severe tonsillitis that lasts longer than usual, this may be glandular fever. Swallowing is often painful.
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Sore throats caused by viral illnesses usually last about three to four days. Sometimes a sore throat may be caused by tonsillitis, where the tonsils at the back of the throat are swollen. Bring your child to the doctor if they have had a sore throat for more than 24 hours, especially if they also have a fever.
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Sore throat caused by viruses is usually contagious as long as symptoms are present. Once the symptoms disappear, the person is usually no longer contagious and is "cured" of viral pharyngitis. However, the person may still be susceptible to other types of viruses that can cause pharyngitis.
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Sore throats are common for both adults and children. Some sore throats are caused by irritation. Smoking, loud talking or yelling, drinking alcohol, or breathing air that is too dry and too cold (or hot) can make your throat sore. If you have allergies, your throat often may be painful.
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Sore throats caused by viruses and bacteria are contagious. The germs can remain on your hands, surfaces, and in the air sometimes for hours or days, depending on the particular virus or bacterium. Sore throats caused by an allergy or other environmental factor aren't contagious.
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Strep throat is a common type of sore throat in children, but it's not very common in adults. Doctors can do a quick test to see if a sore throat is strep throat. If so, antibiotics can help you feel better faster and prevent spreading it to others.
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Strep is most commonly found in the mouth and throat. Hence the relatively common condition strep throat. The infection is often accompanied by an extremely sore throat with white patches, difficulty swallowing, and a fever. Meanwhile, staph is a skin infection that is most often the result of surgery or an open wound.
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Many mild bacterial infections get better on their own without using antibiotics. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs and sore throats. Antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat: chest infections.
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Bacteria Cause Strep Throat Viruses are the most common cause of a sore throat. However, strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).
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Pharyngitis is a bacterial or viral infection marked by a sore, scratchy throat. Strep throat is bacterial infection that causes a sore throat. It can be difficult to eat or drink with these throat infections. This may cause bacteria to build up and turn the roof of the mouth yellow.
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A tonsillopharyngeal exudate may be seen in streptococcal infectious mononucleosis and occasionally in M pneumoniae, C pneumoniae, A haemolyticus, adenovirus, and herpesvirus infections. Therefore, exudate does not differentiate viral and bacterial causes.
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First Aid: Sore Throat. Sore throats are common at any age and can be one of the first signs of another illness, like a cold, the flu, or mononucleosis (mono). They also can be caused by a strep throat infection, although this is rare in children younger than 2 years old.
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On a biological level, the main difference is that bacteria are free-living cells that can live inside or outside a body, while viruses are a non-living collection of molecules that need a host to survive.
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While strep throat is a bacterial infection that may lead to unpleasant throat pain and difficulty swallowing, bronchitis is an inflammation that settles in your chest and is accompanied by coughing and mucus. Can you spot their symptoms? We're here to help you learn more.
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Summary. A sore throat and neck pain can both occur as a result of mild illnesses, such as a cold, the flu, or strep throat. In most cases, a person with this combination of symptoms does not need to seek immediate treatment. The symptoms should resolve within a few days to a week.
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While both can cause disease, viruses are not living organisms, whereas bacteria are. Viruses are only "active" within host cells which they need to reproduce, while bacteria are single-celled organisms that produce their own energy and can reproduce on their own.