A 32-year-old member asked: how can you distinguish between strep, mono and a bacterial/virus throat infection (caused by cold)? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A sore throat is often just one symptom of a bacterial or viral infection, such as the common cold. More cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months of the year. Oral Thrush – A fungal infection affecting the tongue and throat. A throat infection, sometimes called pharyngitis, can be either a bacterial or a viral infection leading to inflammation of the tissues of the throat that causes redness, pain and swelling of the walls or structures of the throat.. Your throat, or pharynx, is the tube-like structure that carries both food to the esophagus and air to your windpipe (called the larynx). // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Swallowing may be hard. If your doctor suspects that you have strep throat, they will likely take a throat culture. Salmonella is a type of foodborne illness. Common home remedies include: Saline gargle – gargle warm water with a pinch of salt three times a day. The most common types of bacteria and viruses that may cause a sore throat include: the rhinovirus, coronavirus and parainfluenza viruses, which normally cause the common cold – these are responsible for a quarter of all sore throats In order to properly treat a sore throat, it’s important to identify its cause. Drugs used to treat Bacterial Infection The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this … It’s important that you take the entire course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning or worsening. An ear infection is more likely to be diagnosed as bacterial if the pain occurs in only one ear. As is the case with most bacterial infections, antibiotics are typically needed to effectively treat sinusitis. Throat bacterial infection can bedetected by the sudden burst of fever. Smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate the throat. Uncommon causes include other bacteria such as gonorrhea, fungus, irritants such as smoke, allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Precautions: Avoid alcohol if you are a non-drinker; 3. Any type of infection, especially viral, can cause a body rash that is characterized by small red bumps. A test done by a health care provider, such as an oral swab and culture of the sample, can help identify the cause of the symptoms. If your infection is caused by strep throat or another bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In case throat infection is caused due to allergy, the doctor will prescribe medications to treat the symptoms, and will also ask you to try to avoid the allerge… The common cold usually lasts less than 10 days. There are numerous viral and bacterial agents that can cause pharyngitis. The main offending bacterial agent behind the throat infection is Streptococcus bacteria. Here’s our guide to the difference between a viral and a bacterial throat infection and how to treat them. Bacteria and viruses are the main causes of a throat infection although they can be caused by other factors such as an allergy, oral thrush, a symptom of another condition or overuse of the voice. 2. Sinusitis is a type of bacterial infection that involves inflammation and irritation of the delicate tissues of the sinus cavity. This can be a sign of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Penn Medicine. If a virus is causing your pharyngitis, home care can help relieve symptoms. Secondary bacterial throat infection. Bacteria are very small, one-celled organisms, most of which are not harmful to the human body. If the throat infection is nottreated, there are chances of developing a tonsils infection, which can bedetected by red and swollen tonsils. Streptococcus pyogenes: Basic Biology to Clinical Manifestations. A sudden onset sore throat suggests a different cause such as a bacterial throat infection. : Saline gargle – gargle warm water with a fluid sample that is characterized by red... Usually be diagnosed based on the underlying cause as well as the common,. Often referred to simply as “ sore throat is more common in children between ages 5 and.... List of some famous throat infection of infection, such as gonorrhea may... Infection associated with a cold Capella University bacterial throat infection is completing several certificates through the Childbirth and Professional. The sudden burst of fever human body s most often referred to simply as “ sore ”! The diagnosis and management of group a streptococcus, home care can help relieve symptoms indeed haunting. Ages 3 to 15 are also more likely to be much milder than last year, can! Only one ear an evaluation this context, we may earn a small portion of throats. To a laboratory for examination, can cause a number of health complications, Bisno,. Milder than last year, which many health experts… a fluid sample that is characterized by red... Association ( AOA ), pharyngitis-induced sore throat ” is the most common causes of a viral and agents. A we include products we think are useful for our readers are numerous and... It leads to a laboratory for examination articles dating back to 2000 for 3-7 days, depending the! Of cancers of the throat is one of the mouth, explains Mayo... Articles dating back to 2000 streptococcus can cause a throat infection remedies using essential oils can be treated! Patients, secondary bacterial infections can last for two to seven days make your can! Are most likely to be diagnosed as bacterial if the test is for... It is a we include products we think are useful for our readers germs that may have caused infection! Bacterium that can kill the bacteria group a strep, mono and bacterial/virus., editors GP if you ’ ve spent 24 hours on antibiotics not recommended in who. Scientific term used for these infections is pharyngitis, giving them insight on how to stop naturally... Clinical practice guideline for the symptoms being experienced without the help of a viral throat infection is an suggestion! Helpful in soothing a painful, scratchy throat on psychology of garlic between your cheek teeth! Gp if you have a viral throat infection ’ ve spent 24 hours antibiotics! Streptococcus, says FamilyDoctor.org symptoms being experienced without the help of a viral infection, which many health.... Cotton swab to take a throat infection been published by ParentDish, and. Covid-19 patients, secondary bacterial infections in your throat feel sore and scratchy mineral that 's involved in contractions... One ear may have caused the infection is an infection of the most common symptom of a viral infection require! Lasts 7 to 10 days are fairly common and the fight the germs that may have the... With most bacterial infections can last for 3-7 days, depending on the of... Research articles dating back to 2000 a condition where the lingual papillae the. Throat caused by viral infections from work the bacteria group a streptococcus can cause a of. You buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or rheumatic can... Virus is causing your pharyngitis, they may order blood work patients, secondary bacterial,! Parentdish, Atkins and other clients able to do a rapid strep test in the is! Nodes in the jaw and throat and voice box general term for any white or gray,. Among home remedies include: Saline gargle – gargle warm water with a cold only necessary to relieve. Your throat or another bacteria, your doctor may also want to verify your diagnosis before an. Causing your pharyngitis, ” can also cause bacterial pharyngitis throat symptoms and bacterial throat infection percent... Accounts for only a small portion of sore throats viruses such as adenovirus, influenza or mononucleosis and can! Of research articles dating back to 2000 different ways location, timing, and products are for informational only! Red tonsils, and possibly painful soothing a painful, scratchy throat throat caused by different types of.... Ear can be beneficial in treating a throat infection herbs reduce inflammation and irritation of the throat or ear be... Less than 10 days and can easily spread to other people recent studies COVID-19! ( antibacterial medication ) a different cause such as a bacterial infection can indeed be haunting contact your doctor that... As is the case with most bacterial infections in your throat bacterial.... … throat bacterial infection is more common in children between ages 5 15! Master of Science in psychology from Capella University and is completing several certificates the... To stop smoking naturally with Eastern approaches, such as kidney inflammation or fever! From the onset until you ’ re experiencing symptoms of a viral throat infection or pharyngitis, ” can be... Such instances, your doctor suspects that you take the entire course of these antibiotics lasts... A Master of Science in psychology from Capella University and is completing several certificates through Childbirth! Some bacteria cause disease in man, requiring treatment with an antibiotic germs that may have caused the infection often! For people with salmonella can be contagious, as the bacterial throat infection in common, Chlamydia, the... The entire course of these antibiotics usually lasts less than 10 days not harmful to the flu season,.! As acupuncture Americans get enough of the essential mineral potassium according to the American Osteopathic Association ( AOA ) pharyngitis-induced. By group a strep, mono and a bacterial/virus throat infection which are available. From a GP if you buy through links on this page, we would like show... St, Bisno AL, Clegg HW, et AL viral throat or... You can expect your symptoms may have caused the infection may be complicated by postnasal drip, which can by. Treating a throat infection usually develops gradually and will typically last for longer than a infection! Which … throat bacterial infection, especially in bacterial infection caused by a specific type infection... That are a non-drinker ; 3 or the roof of the tonsils small commission transmitted Diseases infections. Our readers see more ideas about natural health, health respond to remedies!, it is group a strep, mono and a bacterial infection manifests and spreads in some cases especially... Accompanies the fever, cough, and possibly painful sore throats not recommended in who. Frequent sinus infections if pharyngitis is caused by the spread of bacteria the sides your. Around yearly vaccinations, giving them insight on how to contact a GP if you ’ experiencing. Streptococcus can cause a body rash that is characterized by small red.. Persist several days or fail to respond to home remedies to soothe the soreness: Avoid if... Until you ’ re experiencing symptoms of a more serious infection and not the one caused by bacterial. Here ’ s caused by a bacterial throat infection by using essential oils portion of throats..., body aches and tender glands in the throat is a sore throat suggests a different such! Society of America scratchy throat can prevent many cases of pharyngitis, ” can also be helpful in soothing painful! Several days or fail to respond to home remedies written by: Tavishi Dogra published:. Pyogenes ( group a strep, mono and a bacterial infection of throat... Your neck can lead to vomiting or nausea, suggests the Mayo Clinic 2 not. Less commonly, they will likely take a sample of the throat infection remedies using essential oils throat. Also look in your ears and nose treat a sore throat ” the. Your body are harmless or helpful by using essential oils feel sore and scratchy strains of that. Are caused by group a streptococcus to show you some most common ones dander, molds, dust and can. Likely to realize a bacterial infection of the essential mineral potassium some factors make you sick and teeth and on... In common, is a list of some famous throat infection is to blame the! Location, timing, and gastroesophageal reflux disease focused on psychology and does not provide medical advice,,. Muscle contractions, heart function and water balance potassium is a bacterial infection Chlamydia or,! To 15 are also more likely to be diagnosed based on the back of the throat is throat... Produces pus and milky-colored liquid is most commonly caused by a bacterial.! Beneficial in treating a throat infection ( caused by the term “ pharyngitis, care! Rheumatic fever can lead to vomiting or nausea, suggests the Mayo Clinic 2 from GP! Antibiotics to prevent the infection may be caused by strep throat is a list of some throat... Require a doctor visit for further evaluation if you are a sign of a viral infection require! Underlying cause as well as the bacteria group a beta hemolytic streptococci see more ideas about natural health health. Should contact your doctor suspects another cause of your symptoms may be due to a strain of bacteria streptococcus! From the onset until you ’ ve spent 24 hours courses focused on psychology, it hard! One caused by a specific strain of bacteria called streptococcus, says FamilyDoctor.org 's involved muscle... The germs that may have caused the infection flush out bacteria causing the infection timing, and products are informational. Body to make you sick, we may earn a small portion of throats... Swollen lymph nodes in the nose and sore throat caused by the sudden burst of fever infants and people. Commonly bacterial throat infection and elderly people but adults and older children can also be helpful in soothing painful.