Sore Throat? What It Could Be and What to Do About It (2024)

A sore throat, often called pharyngitis by medical professionals, is often caused by inflammation and swelling of throat (pharyngeal) tissues due to infection or inflammation.

Viral infections such as colds or flu are the most common causes, but there can be others, such as acid reflux, allergies, andoveruse of the vocal cords. Most often, viral sore throats need only soothing until they pass, but other causes, such as strep throat, require treatment to prevent related complications.

Sore Throat Symptoms

Most people with sore throats have other symptoms as well. Depending on the cause, you may experience symptoms from pain and scratchiness to swelling and difficulty swallowing. The pain and discomfort may occur only when you swallow or it may be continuous.

The othersymptoms that accompany a sore throat can help you decide whether or not to call your healthcare provider. They can also help a healthcare provider get to the root of the problem.

Even with no other symptoms, if your throat is so sore that you can't swallow or sleep, seek medical attention.

Causes of Sore Throat

The most common causes of asore throatare viral infections including thecommoncold, group AStreptococcusbacteria (strep throat), andmononucleosis. In young children, Coxsackie virusand herpangina are two other viral causes.

Strep throat usually doesn't have other respiratory symptoms such as nasal drainage, cough, or congestion, but it does cause fever. You can see your healthcare provider for a rapid strep test or a throat culture if this is suspected.

You may also experience a sore throat with allergies,post-nasal drip, overuse of thevocal cords, andsmoking.Acid refluxcan cause a sore throat when stomach acid enters the esophagus and irritates the tissues.

Environmental irritants such as smoke, air pollution,and industrial fumes can also irritate your throat. Dry air itself can cause a dry and scratchy throat.

Treatment

If what's causing the sore throat itself can be addressed, that will be the primary focus of sore throat treatment.

For instance, when abacterial infectionsuch as strep throat is identified, antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin are used to rid your body of the infection, in turn resolving your sore throat.

If a bacterial infection or other treatable health issue is not to blame, treating sore throat for comfort is all that can be done. That's the case with many causes, including the common cold and otherviral infections.

You can use home remedies(such as drinking some sage tea) andover-the-counterpain medications,such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen), to ease sore throat pain. Unfortunately, though,waiting it out is usually what's most effective.

There are not manyhigh-qualitystudies that have supported the use of alternative therapies. Sage, slippery elm, and licorice root may be found in some herbal teas and lozenges and are believed, though not proven, to have soothing effects.Always discuss herbal medications and supplements with your healthcare provider, as some may interact with other medications.

What's causing your sore throat may not be what you originally thought.

A Word From Verywell

While painful, sore throats will usually go away on their own. Stay alert for signs of fever so you can call your healthcare provider when it is appropriate. With some soothing measures the pain will pass and you'll be able to breathe (and swallow) easier.