If have all the symptoms of both tonsillitis and strep except the painful swallowing i just started having them 2 days ago but my strep test was neg. ?

Virus: salt water gargles still work. Honey and lemon is also soothing as a warm tea. Cedar fever/allergies can also cause symptoms. No antibiotics indicated. They kill off the good bacteria there to rid viruses. Drink plenty of non alcoholic fluids. It will pass. ibuprofen if ache/pain, beware if asthma or aspirin allergy

Culture?: Sometimes different strep shows up on a culture and not on a rapid. Consider getting a culture if one was not done or maybe a virus / mono is responsible. Good luck