The key difference between mono and tonsillitis is that mono is a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, while tonsillitis is a disease caused by the influenza virus or group A streptococcus bacteria.
Mono and tonsillitis are two medical conditions that can cause sore throat. A sore throat is a painful scratchiness or irritation in the throat. The most common cause of sore throat is viral infections. However, it can also be caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. The treatment requires antivirals and antibiotics to prevent complications.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Mono (Mononucleosis)
3. What is Tonsillitis
4. Similarities – Mono and Tonsillitis
5. Mono vs Tonsillitis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Mono vs Tonsillitis
What is Mono?
Mono or mononucleosis is a disease that is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is a contagious disease. Mono is also known as a kissing disease. This disease is usually spread by saliva. Therefore, people can get it through kissing or sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mononucleosis. However, mononucleosis is not highly contagious like the common cold. The sign and symptoms of mononucleosis may include fatigue or weakness, sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swollen tonsils, headache, skin rash, and a soft, swollen spleen. The incubation time for this virus usually is four to six weeks. Complications of mononucleosis may include enlargement of the spleen, liver issues (hepatitis and jaundice), anemia, thrombocytopenia, heart problems, complications involving the nervous system such as meningitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and swollen tonsils.
Figure 01: Mono
Mono can be diagnosed through physical examinations and blood tests (antibody test and white blood cell count). Furthermore, treatment options for mono include medications such as pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen), antibiotics for secondary infections and corticosteroids for narrowing of the airway, and lifestyle and home remedies (getting enough rest, eating healthy diets, drinking plenty of water and juices, and gargling with salt water).
What is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is a viral or bacterial infection of the tonsils. The tonsils are two masses of tissue at the back of the throat. This happens when the tonsils are overwhelmed by viruses or bacteria. Tonsillitis is a disease that is caused by the influenza virus or group A streptococcus bacteria. The symptoms of tonsillitis may include throat pain, fever and chills, the red colour of tonsils, white or yellow coating in the tonsils, headache, pain in the ear, loss of appetite, problems in swallowing, swollen glands in the neck, bad breath, muffled voice, and stiffness in the neck. Moreover, complications in tonsillitis include peritonsillar abscess, middle ear infection, obstructive sleep apnea, tonsillar cellulitis, or other infections that spread to nearby tissue.
Figure 02: Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis can be diagnosed through physical examinations, throat swabs, and blood tests (complete blood count). Furthermore, treatment options for tonsillitis may include medications (antibiotics and pain relievers) and home remedies (get a lot of rest, drink warm water, eat smooth foods, use a humidifier, gargle with salt water, suck on lozenges with benzocaine), surgeries such as tonsillectomy surgery.
What are the Similarities Between Mono and Tonsillitis?
- Mono and tonsillitis are two medical conditions that can cause sore throat.
- Both medical conditions can be caused by viruses.
- They may have similar symptoms, such as swollen glands and rash.
- They may cause complications.
- Both these medical conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests.
- They can be treated through medications like antivirals, antibiotics, pain relievers, and lifestyle and home remedies.
What is the Difference Between Mono and Tonsillitis?
Mono is a disease that is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, while tonsillitis is a disease that is caused by the influenza virus or group A streptococcus bacteria. Thus, this is the key difference between mono and tonsillitis. Furthermore, mono is always contagious, while tonsillitis can be contagious or non-contagious.
The below infographic presents the differences between mono and tonsillitis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Mono vs Tonsillitis
Mono and tonsillitis are two medical conditions that can have similar symptoms, such as sore throat, swollen glands, and rash. Moreover, both these medical conditions can be caused by viral infections. However, mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, while tonsillitis is caused by the influenza virus or group A streptococcus bacteria. So, this is the key difference between mono and tonsillitis.
Reference:
1. “Mononucleosis (Mono): Symptoms, Treatment & Diagnosis.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Tonsillitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Sept. 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Mononucleosis” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “SAG Acute-Tonsillitis 191010 01 (1).” By Scientific Animations (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia