Sore throat and strep throat are two conditions that are due to throat infections. Throat infections are normally caused by a virus but can be caused by bacteria such as streptococcal bacteria. Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, such as throat pain, difficulties in swallowing, and scratchy and irritated throat. They are fairly common conditions that can affect anyone, especially children.
The key difference between sore throat and strep throat is their cause. Sore throat is a bacterial or viral infection in the throat, while strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Sore Throat
3. What is Strep Throat
4. Similarities – Sore Throat and Strep Throat
5. Sore Throat vs Strep Throat in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Sore Throat vs Strep Throat
7. FAQ – Sore Throat and Strep Throat
What is Sore Throat?
A sore throat is a viral or bacterial infection of the throat. However, over 90% of cases are due to viral infections. Very rarely, sore throat can be caused by pollution, heartburn, allergies, cigarette smoke, fungal infection, and parasitic infection. The symptoms of a sore throat caused by viruses include a red, inflamed throat, dry or hoarse coughing, difficulty swallowing, and a mild fever.

Figure 01: Irritated Throat
Sore throat can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and lab testing of throat swab. Furthermore, sore throat due to viruses is treated by resting, over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and antiviral medications. If sore throat is caused by bacteria, it is treated by prescribe antibiotics.
What is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. It is caused by bacteria called Group A Streptococcus bacteria. Those with strep throat can experience fever, pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, red, swollen tonsils, headache, swollen lymph nodes on the front of the neck, and stomach pain.

Figure 02: Strep Throat
Strep throat can be diagnosed through physical examination, rapid antigen test, PCR, and throat culture. Furthermore, medications such as antibiotics, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are available to cure strep throat and relieve symptoms.
Similarities Between Sore Throat and Strep Throat
- Sore throat and strep throat are two throat conditions.
- Both these conditions can be caused by bacterial infections.
- Both conditions are common in children.
- These conditions may have similar symptoms, such as pain in the throat, difficulties in swallowing, etc.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through throat culture and physical examination.
- They can be treated with antibiotics and pain medications.
Difference Between Sore Throat and Strep Throat
Definition
- Sore throat is a viral or bacterial infection of the throat that causes pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat.
- Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat that makes the throat feel sore and scratchy.
Cause
- Sore throat can be caused by viral illness like common cold, flu, mononucleosis, measles, chicken pox, COVID 19, croup, Group A Streptococcus, pollution, heart burn, allergies, cigarette smoke, fungal infection and parasitic infection.
- Strep throat is caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Signs and Symptoms
- The symptoms of sore throat include fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, body aches, headaches, throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and nausea or vomiting.
- The symptoms of strep throat include throat pain, painful swallowing, swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck, red swollen tonsils, headache, fever, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
Diagnosis
- Sore throat can be diagnosed through by examining the throat, tongue and possibly ears, lab testing of throat swab.
- Strep throat can be diagnosed through physical examination, strep test, PCR, and throat culture.
Treatment
- Sore throat treatments include resting, avoiding irritants, drinking warn liquids, applying ice, using a humidifier, taking over the counter antihistamines, antacids, taking prescribe antibiotics and antiviral medications.
- Strep throat treatments include antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin and pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
The following table summarizes what is the difference between sore throat and strep throat.
Summary – Sore Throat vs Strep Throat
Sore throat and strep throat are two conditions caused by throat infections. Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, such as throat pain, difficulties in swallowing, scratchy, irritated throat, etc. However, sore throat is a viral infection like a cold or flu and bacteria in the throat, while strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and tonsils. This is the summary of the difference between sore throat and strep throat.
FAQ: Sore Throat and Strep Throat
1. What is the cause of a sore throat?
- A sore throat is the swelling in the back of the throat between the tonsils and the voice box. Most cases are caused by viral infections such as common cold, the flu, coxsackie virus or mononucleosis. Bacteria that can cause sore throat in some cases are Group A Streptococcus. In rare cases, it can be caused by pollution, heart burn, allergies, cigarette smoke, fungal infection, and parasitic infection.
2. How long does a sore throat last for?
- A sore throat caused by viral infections usually lasts four to five days. During this time, treatments to reduce pain may include medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and antiviral medications.
3. What causes strep throat?
- Strep throat is caused by bacterial infection. This bacterium is known as Streptococcus pyogenes. It is also called group A Streptococcus. This bacterium usually spreads through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks.
4. What are common symptoms of strep throat?
- The most common symptoms of strep throat include a sudden onset of fever, chills, a red sore throat with possible white patches, throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and swollen, tender neck glands.
5. Can strep throat go away by itself?
- Strep throat normally resolves in three to five days without treatment. But short term antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce the risk of complications. These antibiotics include antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin.
Reference:
1. “Strep Throat: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Sore Throat.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pos strep” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Depiction of a person who has an irritated throat” By Myupchar.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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