Question: is tonsillitis the same thing as strep throat?
Answer: The Difference between a Sore Throat, Strep & Tonsillitis. ​The terms sore throat, strep throat, and tonsillitis often are used interchangeably, but they don't mean the same thing. Tonsillitis refers to tonsils that are inflamed. Strep throat is an infection caused by a specific type of bacteria, Streptococcus.