My daughter has been diagnosed with strep and tonsillitis. What is the difference?

Answer 1

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat, caused by the streptococcus bacteria. Since the tonsils are located in the throat (more or less), they can easily get infected when you have strep throat, or any other throat infection. So you can get tonsilitis whenever you have any upper respiratory infection, either bacterial or viral, it is just a descriptive term for inflammation of the tonsils. In your daughter's case, she has a bacterial infection of the throat which also caused inflammation of the tonsils -- they are both part of the same "disease." When she takes the antibiotics, they should take care of everything, and she should be feeling better within 24 to 48 hours.

Answer 2

Tonsillitis is an inflamation of the tonsils. It is a sign of several illnesses. Strep throat is an illness caused by a strep bacteria, which is one of the illnesses that can cause tonsillitis.

So, tonsillitis is caused by strep throat. Sort of like the relationship between, say, diarrhea and food poisoning. You can have both, because the diarrhea is caused by the food poisoning agent.

Answer 3

What is strep throat?

Strep throat is caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus. The pain of strep throat often feels much like sore throats that are caused by other bacteria or by viruses. What's important and different about strep throat is that untreated strep infections can sometimes result in rheumatic fever, which can damage the valves of the heart and other organs of the body. Rheumatic fever can be prevented by taking antibiotics for 10 days.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis means swelling of the tonsils. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection, though sometimes a virus may be involved. Your tonsils are located toward the back of your tongue on each side of your throat. Signs of strep throat and tonsillitis are often alike.

Answer 4

She probably has strep tonsillitis. Strep is the bacteria causing it.