Ear, Nose & Throat ENT Disorders Print An Overview of Sore Throat By Kristin Hayes, RN Updated October 31, 2019 Medically reviewed by Andy Miller, MD on July 11, 2019 Sore Throat Overview Symptoms Causes Treatment In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Causes Treatment View All 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, and overuse of the vocal cords. Most often, viral sore throats will need soothing until they pass, but other causes, such as strep throat, require treatment to prevent related complications. Verywell / Emily Roberts 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 other symptoms that accompany a sore throat can help you decide whether or not to call your doctor. They can also help a doctor 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. When To See a Doctor Fever greater than 101 degreesDifficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouthLump in your neckHoarseness lasting more than two weeksBlood in mouth or sputumRashThroat so sore you can't swallow or sleep Symptoms of Sore Throat Causes The most common causes of a sore throat are viral infections including the common cold, group A Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat), and mononucleosis. In young children, Coxsackie virus and herpangina are two other viral causes. Strep throat is the cause of sore throats up to a third of the time in school-age children, and 10 percent of the time in adults and younger children. This condition is caused by bacteria and needs to be treated with antibiotics to prevent serious complications. 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 doctor 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 the vocal cords, and smoking. Acid reflux can 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. Causes of Sore 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 a bacterial infection such 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 other viral infections. You can use home remedies (such as drinking some sage tea) and over-the-counter pain medications, such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen), to ease sore throat pain. Unfortunately, though, waiting it out is usually what's most effective. Tips for Soothing a Sore Throat Humidify the air by using either warm-mist or cool-mist humidifiers, or by boiling water.Mix honey in with your favorite tea; it can coat the throat and act as a lubricant.Gargle with salt water: 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 cup of water is a common mixture.Suck on lozenges or hard candies. There are not many high-quality studies 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 doctor, as some may interact with other medications. If your sore throat worsens or continues to progress after five to seven days, see a physician for further evaluation. What's causing your sore throat may not be what you originally thought. How a Sore Throat Is Treated 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 doctor when it is appropriate. With some soothing measures the pain will pass and you'll be able to breathe (and swallow) easier. Symptoms of a Sore Throat Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Parmet S, Lynm C, Glass RM. JAMA patient page. Sore throat. JAMA. 2004;291(13):1664. doi:10.1001/jama.291.13.1664 Stead W, Aronson M, Bond S. Patient education: Sore throat in adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. Jun 3, 2019. Renner B, Mueller CA, Shephard A. Environmental and non-infectious factors in the aetiology of pharyngitis (sore throat). Inflamm Res. 2012;61(10):1041-52. doi:10.1007/s00011-012-0540-9 Additional Reading Sore Throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/content/sore-throats. Pelucchi C, Grigoryan L, Galeone C, et al. Guideline for the Management of Acute Sore Throat. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2012;18:1-27. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03766.x. Stead W. Patient Education: Sore Throat in Adults (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sore-throat-in-adults-beyond-the-basics#H5. Continue Reading