Got a sore throat? Wonder if your painful sore throat is from a cold, strep throat, or tonsillitis? Here's how to tell.

What's the difference between a cold, strep throat, and tonsillitis?

A sore throat is often the first sign of a cold. However, a sore throat from a cold often gets better or goes away after the first day or two. Other cold symptoms such as a runny nose and congestion may follow the sore throat.

Strep throat, which is caused by Streptococcus bacteria, is one of the major causes of sore throat and tonsillitis. With strep throat, the sore throat is often more severe and persists. While a cold goes away on its own, strep throat usually requires antibiotics.

Tonsillitis is a painful infection of the tonsils, the tissue masses located at the back of the throat.

Is a sore throat with a cold caused by a virus or bacteria?

Sore throats can be caused by viruses or bacteria. To determine the cause of your sore throat, your doctor may do a strep test. However, there may be some clues. Viral sore throats are often accompanied by other cold symptoms that may include a runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes, and sneezing.

Along with a sore throat, what are other cold symptoms?

Other cold symptoms include the following:

Runny nose

Sneezing

Cough

Headache

Nasal congestion

Fever, which may or may not be present and which is more likely in children

How are sore throats with colds treated?

While there is no cure for a sore throat caused by a cold virus, to speed healing of your sore throat and cold, be sure to get enough rest. Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids can also help speed healing.

Can medications relieve symptoms of a sore throat with a cold?

Over-the-counter cold medications may relieve cold and sore throat symptoms. However, the benefits of these medications are minimal. Some cold medications include the following:

Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to relieve the aches and pains of a cold and sore throat. (Aspirin should not be given to children under the age of 18 because of its link to Reye's syndrome, a disorder that mostly affects children 4 to 12 years old and causes brain damage and death.)

Sore throat sprays and lozenges to soothe your throat and numb the throat pain temporarily.

Decongestant nasal sprays to relieve a sore throat caused by postnasal drip -- nasal drainage that runs down your throat. (Be sure to stop using nasal decongestant sprays after 3 days, or you may have an increase in congestion when you stop them.)

Antibiotics should not be used to treat a cold virus and sore throat. Antibiotics are effective only against bacteria. They will not work on sore throats associated with colds, which are caused by viruses, and may cause future infections to be worse and last longer.