How can I tell if I have strep throat or tonsilitis?

Question

Yesterday night my throat was hurting just a little, but this morning it was hurting worst and I looked at it and saw that it was swollen with white spots. Is this some kind of infection or what could be wrong with me?? I don't have a fever my throat is just killin me to the point where I can only eat ice cream.HELLLLPPPP!!!!!

Thanks so much everyone! I am going to the doctor and I will hope to get better. I appreciate all the answers and advice. Everyone has helped me alot and I hope I can one day do the same for you.

Answer 1

The white spots are a pretty good indicator.....but not always. Sometimes a slightly red throat is your only symptom. See your DR. It sounds like you have strep.

An untreated strep infection can lead to Rheumatic Fever..(I had it, not pretty)...and other complications. Only your DR can tell you for sure, though. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Answer 2

White spots on the tonsil area of your throat is a common symptom of strep. However, it is not entirely inclusive to strep. Other viruses can cause the same affect. If this has been with you for more than 2 or 3 days, you should see a doctor to have a culure done. Its the only sure fire way to know what it is. DON'T take it lightly. It could be more serious than you think, or worse, be contagious to others around you. Hope you're feeling better.

Answer 3

White spots are strep other symptoms are fever. Most of the time other than a really bad fever and sore throat you feel fine with strep. Tonsillitis your tonsils get really swollen. With either you are going to have to go to the doctor so you might as well quit asking questions on this and make an appointment for today. Also Strep is highly contagious. Get to the Doctors and get some antibiotics it takes 24 hours of antibiotics before you are not contagious. Also if strep goes untreated it turns into scarlet fever and you can die so GET TO THE DOCTORS NOW!!

Answer 4

What is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis (ton-sil-lie-tiss) is an inflammation of the tonsils caused by an infection. In tonsillitis, the tonsils are enlarged, red, and often coated (either partly or entirely) by a substance that is yellow, gray, or white. Tonsillitis usually occurs as part of a pharyngitis (throat infection). Tonsilitis usually begins with sudden sore throat and painful swallowing.
What are the symptoms?

Each person with tonsillitis may not experience all of the symptoms. Some of the major symptoms are: a very sore throat, fever, redder-than-normal tonsils, chills, a yellow or white coating on the tonsils, a funny-sounding voice, swollen glands in the neck, and bad breath.

What is Strep Throat?

Streptococcal sore throat, also called strep throat, is an infection of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. Strep throat is caused by bacteria. Sometimes the tonsils are also infected (tonsillitis).

Strep throat accounts for between five and ten percent of all sore throats. Although anyone can get strep throat, it is most common in school age children. People who smoke, who are fatigued, run down, or who live in damp, crowded conditions are also more likely to become infected. Children under age two and adults who are not around children are less likely to get the disease.

Strep throat occurs most frequently from November to April.

What are the Symptoms?

Some of the symptoms of strep throat are: a painful sore throat, high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, bright red tongue, swollen lymph glands and nausea.

Infants with strep throat often have a thick colorful nose drainage and possibly a low-grade fever, with a decrease in appetite.

Young children may complain of abdominal pain. The tonsils look swollen and are bright red, with white or yellow patches of pus on them. Sometimes the roof of the mouth is red or has small red spots.

I believe you more than likely have tonsilitis from that definition. The white spots at the back of your mouth are probably located on your tonsils and the difficulty swollowing and swollen glands at the back of your mouth are big signs of Tonsilitis. It can normally be treated with shots of penicilin so you should probably get that checked out and get treated asap.

Answer 5

You need to go to your doctor and have a strep test done. Typically, the white spots & sore throat are definate signs of strep throat. You don't always have a fever with strep. You need to be on anitbiotics to clear it up though. You are also contagious until you're on the antibiotic for 24 hours if it's strep. Call your doctor. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 6

Not all sore throats are step throats. Most episodes of sore throat - which can be accompanied by a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, and red eyes - are caused by viruses. Sore throats usually clear up on their own without requiring medical treatment.

If you have strep throat, you should start to develop other symptoms within about 3 days. Those symptoms can include:

red and white patches in the throat
difficulty swallowing
tender or swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
red and enlarged tonsils
headache
lower stomach pain
fever
general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
loss of appetite and nausea
rash


But to be on the safe side make an appointment for your doctor to have yourself tested.

Answer 7

Red Throat With White Spots

Answer 8

White bumps in the back of the throat. If you have white bumps you have strep and you are contagious for until you have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Go to the doctor.

Answer 9

You have strep throat. Go see a doctor. You'll get medicine, and be cured in a couple days

Answer 10

You have strep throat. GO to the doctor.