{"id":43595,"date":"2021-10-12T15:19:47","date_gmt":"2021-10-12T19:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=43595"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:56:40","slug":"strep-throat-vs-sore-throat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/strep-throat-vs-sore-throat\/","title":{"rendered":"Strep throat vs. sore throat: Compare causes, symptoms, treatments, & more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strep throat<\/span> and <\/span>sore throat<\/span> are two specific types of pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the pharynx in the <\/span>back of the throat<\/span>. Pharyngitis is considered an upper respiratory infection (URI). <\/span>Strep throat<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>sore throat<\/span><\/a> are differentiated by their route cause which can be determined by a <\/span>throat culture<\/span>. There are symptoms common between the two types of pharyngitis including pain, swelling, and irritation. There are also some really important differences that determine how each can be successfully treated. We will discuss the differences between the two conditions including their causes, symptomatology, and impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Causes<\/h2>\n

Strep throat<\/span><\/h3>\n

Strep throat<\/span> gets its name from the class of bacteria that causes it, Group A streptococci (GAS) or <\/span>streptococcus pyogenes<\/span> (<\/span>S. pyogenes)<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>Streptococcal pharyngitis<\/span> is most commonly spread by person-to-person transmission through contact with an infected person\u2019s saliva or nasal secretions. It is possible, but rare, for it to spread by contaminated food. For most, the time from exposure to the first symptom is two to five days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sore throat<\/span><\/h3>\n

A <\/span>sore throat<\/span> is a type of acute pharyngitis typically caused by <\/span>viral infections<\/span> like those that cause the <\/span>common cold<\/span> and flu. <\/span>Sore throats<\/span> are not a <\/span>bacterial infection<\/span>. There are other potential <\/span>causes of sore throats<\/span>. A <\/span>sore throat<\/span> can also result from allergies or exposure to pollutants such as smoke. Transmission likelihood depends on the source. Viruses are typically spread with person-to-person contact or sometimes airborne transmission, increasing the chance you could develop a <\/span>sore throat<\/span>. <\/span>Sore throats<\/span> caused by allergies are not contagious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Strep throat vs. sore throat causes<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Strep throat<\/b><\/td>\nSore throat<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • Group A Streptococcus bacteria<\/span> (<\/b>S. pyogenes<\/span><\/i>)<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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