What is the difference between a sore throat and strep throat? What remedies would you recommend for both?

Answer 1

Most sore throats are caused by viruses and may be associated with a cold. About ten percent of sore throats are cased by strep bacteria. A throat culture is the only way to tell the difference between strep throat or another infection. Without treatment, strep throat can produce complications. Tonsillitis refers to any infection of the tonsils, regardless of the cause.

While anyone can get strep throat, it is most commonly seen in children between the ages of 5 and 16. It is important that you go to a health care provider if you suspect strep, because if left untreated streptococcal throat infections can lead to rheumatic fever and kidney disease. It's also important for teenagers to find out if a bad sore throat is a symptom of mononucleosis.

Sore throats with viral illnesses usually last three or four days. Strep throat responds well to penicillin. So sore throats are usually in response to a cold or virus. Strep throat is a whole lot worse, it is a contagious disease caused by an infection with Group A Streptococcus bacteria.

I hope that helped you out. I left some websites below that you can check out and get more information.

Answer 2

A strep throat is a sore throat caused by streptococcus oris (step of the mouth). It has a characteristic odor and forms white patches that can be seen in the back of throat. Sometimes there's white stuff dripping, too. Strep responds to antibiotics, which must be prescribed by a doctor. Since some resistant strains have developed from the improper use of antibiotics over the years, it's usually wise to have a culture and sensitivity test running so that the physician will know if the one he's prescribed won't work on the strain being treated.

Most other sore throats are caused by injury (as from shouting) or by viral infections. Neither condition responds to antibiotic treatment, and attempting to do so is one of the improper uses mentioned above. The best that can be done is to alleviate the symptoms while the throat heals and the virus runs its course.

Answer 3

Many colds start with a sore throat. That phase generally lasts a day or two before the usual cold symptoms begin. By now (midnight Monday/Tuesday) you should have a clearer idea where this is headed. I generally get through my own ordinary colds with aspirin in the early stages for the inflamed sore throat and the initial achy feeling. Puffs with lotion are the best tissues to use -- they're easier on the skin of your nose. When the last-stage coughing starts, I take plain Robitussin (no added ingredients) or the generic equivalent plain guaifenesin, often sold under the store brand "Tussin". The whole illness usually lasts a week or ten days. I hope you feel better soon, and that this is just the Grand National Cold that seems to be going around.

Answer 4

A sore throat can be caused by a multitude of things.. anything from yelling/cheering too loud at a ball game to irritation from sinus drainage, to bacterial (yes, inlcuding streptococcus) and viral infections or a host of other things. Basically, if you have a sore throat, something has irritated it.

Strep is a bacteria, which can cause illness in humans (and other animals too), if it colonizes (gets an overgrowth) in a part of the body where it doesn't belong. Believe it or not, people have strep and staph on their skins (normal flora) but if it takes over say your oropharynx (back of your mouth) it can cause localized infection there (large puss filled blisters). Strep is cured with antibiotics which your physician can/will prescribe.

To soothe a sore throat, including one caused by strep, I suggest lots of liquids.. some swear by cold things, I personally prefer hot tea. Also chloraseptic anesthetic spray works good too to numb your throat.

Answer 5

Strep throat is an infection. See a doctor and get on some antibiotics.
For sore throat, gargle several times a day with very warm salt water.

Answer 6

Both make your throat sore; however, strep throat requires an antibiotic. (usually with strep throat you'll notice white pus-like pockets on the back of the throat) strep is also accompanied by a fever.

Answer 7

A sore throat is just that: sore. Strep throat is very painful and needs to be treated with antibiotics.

Answer 8

Strep throat is a streptococcal infection that requires antibiotics. The doctor takes a sample of cells from the back of your throat and sees if bacteria grows (a throat culture) to make the diagnosis;

A sore throat can occur with an upper respiratory infection, cold virus or allergies, and usually is due to inflammation of the mucous membranes and aggravated by post-nasal drip, throat-clearing and coughing associated with those conditions. Typical treatment starts with addressing the primary cause (cold, allergy, etc.), as well as pain relievers, salt-water gargling, numbing sprays and cough drops, and drinking plenty of clear fluids.

Answer 9

Strept Throat is the medical term used for the streptococus bacteria that infect your throat and sometimes surrounding glands.

Sore throat can be a common malady simply caused by something abraisive going down your throat or some minor inflamation.

Strept throat, you should see a doctor for. A sore throat, you can gargle salt water or suck on a throat lozenge.

Answer 10

Simplest answer:

Strep is a bacterial infection that requires medical attention

Sore throat w/o strep is usually just your run of the mill viral infection.