hi,if my strep throat and tonsilitis is not caused by bacteria, what virus is it caused by then? i am on penicillin and someone just told me that if it is not bacteria, the penicillin is usless which i believe, but what kind of virus could it be if it is NOT bacteria?  how can u have a strep throat or tonsilitis if it is not bacteria?  thanks
211741
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). \n\nStrep 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. \n\nStrep throat occurs most frequently from November to April. \n\nHow is Strep Throat Transmitted?\n\nStrep Throat is transmitted directly from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Very occasionally the disease is passed through food, when a food handler infected with strep throat accidentally contaminates food by coughing or sneezing. \n\nWhat causes Strep Throat?\n\nStrep Throat is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
256491
You could have an infection in the tube between your ear and throat.  I had exactly the same symptoms and was eating cough drops like crazy to soothe my throat.  I was at the doc's office for something else and mentioned it.  She looked in my ears, nose, throat and at the swollen node.  She swabbed my throat but it came back negative for strep.  But, she said my eardrum had some liquid behind it and thought it was an Eustachian tube infection.  Sometimes if you have post nasal drip from allergies you'll get a sore throat, but not the swollen gland behind the ear. She put me on a 7 day course of antibiotics and it all went away.
361656
Gargle with salt water!?  I've always heard that it takes an antibiotic to get rid of strep throat.  I have also heard you can catch it back from your own toothbrush!  OR you could have caught the flu because your resistance was down.  If so, you'll have to hang in there for a week or so.  Good Luck!
419670
Your tonsils are the two round things that you can see, where your mouth meets your throat.  For your reference, the piece that hangs between them is called a uvula.  Often, an infection of the tonsils can be detected visibly, if you use a flashlight to look at your throat thru your mouth...The tonsils will be red, inflamed, and often will be covered with pockets of pus (sorry for the unfortunate visual!).\n\nGenerally, before anyone recommends removing these, you would have "chronic" tonsil infections.  It is entirely normal to have a sore throat, or infected tonsils, on an occasional basis.  Having them removed is a fairly extreme step, done only when the antibiotics don't take care of the problem.  Two occurrences is generally not enough to make the doctor want to operate.
383762
strep throat.. no worries go to the doctor, they will swab your throat with a cue tip and tell you there weather you have it or not..if so, then a week of meds will get you feeling better good luck!
237329
jello, chicken broth soup and alot of water.. I hope you went to the doctor. and take all your antibiotics. strep throat is nothing to mess with. My fiance' pasted away 5 years ago from heart failure due to strep throat and he was healthy. just make sure you take all your antibiotics.
661893
While it's true that strep does like the tonsils and adenoids, you can still get this type of infection along with other throat infections.  However, having your tonsils and/or adenoids removed does lessen the infection risk.  My son and I both had our tonsils removed and we find that we don't get throat infections nearly as often as we used to.
526261
Not related.  Watch your throat, is it gets hard to swallow you may have strep and need antibiotics.  Sounds like you have a good sprain/strain too.  Looks like you are headed for a miserable weekend.....
121328
It sounds like scarlet fever...you need to see a doctor. My son recently had this, and even though he had strep throat, he did not have a sore throat. Check out the link below to learn more about it. But a trip to the doctor will confirm.\n\nhttp://www.symptoms101.com/med/archives/2005/05/scarlet_fever_s.html
152718
only your doctor can tell you if it is viral or bacterial, either way you should see him/her.  If it is bacterial, you need to be prescribed an antibiotic.  You don't want it to get worse, especially if it is strep throat.  Untreated, strep throat can cause all kinds of ugly problems.  \nViral illnesses cannot be treated with antibiotics, but you can probably find something over the counter to help with the symptoms while you ride it out.  Hope you feel better, and call a doctor. (p.s. usually strep throat comes with swollen tonsils, white patches on the back of the throat, and bad breath.)
187604
If you were on antibiotics and didn't finish  your prescription you may have the tonsillitis again, if your ears hurt you probably have an ear infection too  (it is pretty common since the throat, ears, and nose are all connected)  Try gargling with warm salt water, that will help.  (Popsicles are a bit better for tonsillitis than ice cream)\ngo back to the Dr. if it persists!! (you don't want it to turn in to strep)
126606
Strep throat is an infection. With some infections your body has to use a fever to fight them. That is why you get a fever.
477839
Sounds like it could be strep throat. Go see your doctor immediately. I had it before and had to be hospitalized because I thought it would just go away and waited too long to go to the doctor. It is also highly contagious.
298012
Actually you have an infection.  That's what puss is.  If your throat or tonsils are coated with "white stuff" or "puss" then you more than likely have strep throat which requires antibiotics right away.  That will get rid of the infection.
632600
If you are having a sore throat and cough, it doesn't necessarily mean Strep. Strep has a very distinctive trait and that is high fever. That is 99.9% of the time. If you have high fever then it is probably strep. I thought I had it too and went the Dr. when he heard that I didn't have the fever he didn't even do the strep test. Just put me on antibiotics for bacteria infection in throat. \nNow about your coughing... for goodness sake man use a tissue! Your elbow is not sufficient to block germs. \nIf you can then I highly suggest you take the advice of all the others and cancel your elderly visit. But if you must go you could wear a ventilation mask.
665447
It is called a uvula. I think laryngitis can cause it to inflame, so can tonsilitis. You may need to take antibiotics to cure that
141138
Mono suppresses the immune system,leaving the person both contagious and susceptible to other illnesses. My brother had mono tonsillitis, strep all at the same time he lost a ton of weight even under the doctors care and missed 3 months of school, another friend was about the same and even had clumps of hair falling out. Some people barely notice mono, it just leaves them tired and maybe a little more prone to cold and other viruses. My son just had mono, he was in and out of school before we knew what he had, series of flu, bad colds sore throat ear infection ect followed.He missed 27 school days and all but his first wrestling meet and lost 7 of his 104 pounds.Mono can cause the spleen to become enlarged also. We are told he needs to be cautious around others for 18 months as he could possibly still spread the virus. But will it kill you friend? probably not because he is under medical care, eating and drinking and able to rest. But do him or her a favor, if you are allowed to visit don't stay so long as to tire him out and stay away if you are ill. But do call, write and understand if they are too tired to be good company.