How can you tell the difference between viral and bacterial pharyngitis?
Viral infections don’t respond to antibiotics, and treatment is only necessary to help relieve symptoms. Less commonly, pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections require antibiotics. The most common bacterial infection of the throat is strep throat, which is caused by group A streptococcus.
What is viral tonsillitis in children?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. It is usually caused by a viral infection or less commonly by a bacterial infection. The tonsils are two small glands that sit on either side of the throat. In young children they help fight germs and act as a barrier against infection.
How can you tell the difference between tonsillitis and pharyngitis?
What are pharyngitis and tonsillitis? Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections that cause inflammation. If the tonsils are affected, it is called tonsillitis. If the throat is affected, it is called pharyngitis.
Does my child need antibiotics for tonsillitis?
Even when tonsillitis is caused by bacteria (strep throat), this is usually an infection that the child can recover from without the need for antibiotics. Antibiotics do not improve the symptoms of tonsillitis, and most children have a sore throat for three to four days even if they do have treatment with antibiotics.
How can you tell the difference between bacterial and viral tonsillitis?
You can differentiate between bacterial tonsillitis and viral tonsillitis by checking the severity of your symptoms. It’s common for your tonsils to look red and swollen for both bacterial and viral tonsillitis, but if you have white, pus-filled spots at the back of your mouth on both sides of your throat, you likely have bacterial tonsillitis.
How can you tell if you have tonsillitis as a child?
Tonsillitis is a common childhood illness, but teenagers and adults can get it, too. It usually goes away on its own after a few days. Tonsillitis can feel like a bad cold or flu. The tonsils at the back of your throat will be red and swollen. Tonsils with pus-filled spots at the back of the throat. Look at other sore throat symptoms.
What causes strep throat and tonsillitis in children?
Get immediate care if your child has any of these symptoms: Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections can also be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat.
What does it feel like to have tonsils in your throat?
Tonsillitis is a common childhood illness, but teenagers and adults can get it, too. It usually goes away on its own after a few days. Tonsillitis can feel like a bad cold or flu. The tonsils at the back of your throat will be red and swollen. Tonsils with pus-filled spots at the back of the throat.