What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow.

• The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Interestingly, a sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own.
• Streptococcal infection also causes sore throat but it is a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria and requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications.
• Other less common causes of sore throat might require more complex treatment.

What are the possible types of sore throat?

Sore throats are divided into types, based on the part of the throat they affect:

• Pharyngitis affects the area right behind the mouth.
• Tonsillitis is swelling and redness of the tonsils, the soft tissue in the back of the mouth.
• Laryngitis is swelling and redness of the voice box, or larynx.

Infections causing a sore throat might result in other signs and symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Body aches
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting