but these symptoms tend to be more severe than viral ones. Additionally, the strep infectious patients may have fever, bodyaches, headaches, enlarged tonsils with white spots, swollen or tender lymph nodes in the front of the neck. Children may have nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Usually symptoms of viral and bacterial pharyngitis can overlap, it may be difficult to distinguish based on symptoms alone. It is more likely viral if cough and nasal symptoms are prominent.

In addition to vial and bacterial pharyngitis, an infection with fungi(Candida or yeast) sometimes can cause throat pain, difficulty swallowing and white patches inside the mouth. This throat infection, commonly called THRUSH, usually affects infants and people with weakened immune systems.

Pharyngitis which lasts for couple of weeks may be caused by acid reflux from the stomach, breathing through mouth in dry environment, or postnasal drip.