Sore Throat – Symptoms and Causes
What Is A Sore Throat?
A sore throat causes pain and irritation that may get worse when swallowing. Most sore throats come from viral infections like colds or flu. These usually heal without special treatment.
Strep throat, caused by bacteria, is less common but requires antibiotics to prevent complications. Without proper treatment, strep throat can lead to more serious health problems.
Other causes of sore throat are rare but might need different treatments based on the underlying cause. Your doctor can help determine the right approach for your specific situation.
Signs and Discomfort
The throat contains several important parts that work together. These include:
- Esophagus: The tube that carries food to your stomach.
- Trachea (windpipe): The airway that leads to your lungs.
- Larynx (voice box): The structure that produces sound when you speak.
- Tonsils: Tissue masses that help fight infections.
- Epiglottis: The flap that prevents food from entering your airway.
When you have a sore throat, you might notice pain that gets worse when you swallow or talk.
Your throat may feel scratchy, and you might have trouble swallowing. Some people develop swollen glands in their neck or jaw area.
Looking in a mirror, you might see red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or pus.
A sore throat can also be accompanied by fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, body aches, headache, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. Your voice might sound hoarse or muffled as well.
When to See a Doctor
For children with a sore throat that doesn’t go away after drinking water in the morning, it’s important to visit a doctor.
Get immediate medical attention for a child with these serious symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Unusual drooling (may indicate inability to swallow)
Adults should seek medical care for a sore throat with these additional problems:
- Severe pain or sore throat lasting more than one week
- Problems swallowing or breathing
- Trouble opening your mouth
- Joint pain
- Earache
- Rash
- Fever higher than 101°F (38.3°C)
- Blood in saliva or phlegm
- Sore throats that keep coming back
- Lump in the neck
- Hoarseness lasting longer than two weeks
- Swelling in the neck or face
These symptoms might point to a more serious condition that needs proper medical treatment rather than home care alone.
Why Does My Throat Hurt?
Virus-Related Throat Pain
Viruses cause most sore throats. Common viruses that make your throat hurt include the cold virus and flu virus. These spread easily from person to person.
Other viral causes include:
- Mononucleosis (often called “mono”)
- Measles
- Chickenpox
- COVID-19
- Croup (which causes a barking cough in children)
Viral sore throats usually get better on their own within 5-7 days. They often come with other symptoms like runny nose, cough, and mild fever.
Bacteria That Hurt Your Throat
Bacterial infections cause fewer sore throats than viruses, but they can be more serious. The most common bacterial cause is Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes strep throat.
Strep throat symptoms include:
| Symptom | Common in Strep | Common in Viral Sore Throats |
|---|---|---|
| Sudden onset | Yes | Sometimes |
| Fever | Often high | Mild or none |
| White spots on tonsils | Yes | Sometimes |
| Rash | Sometimes | Rarely |
| Cough | Rarely | Usually |
| Runny nose | Rarely | Usually |
Bacterial infections usually need antibiotics to clear up completely.
Other Things That Cause Sore Throats
Many non-infectious things can make your throat hurt too:
- Allergies: When you react to things like pollen, dust, or pet dander, your throat might hurt. This happens especially if mucus drips down the back of your throat.
- Dry Air: Indoor heating and air conditioning can dry out your throat. Breathing through your mouth instead of your nose also dries your throat.
- Irritants: Your throat may hurt from:
- Cigarette smoke or vaping
- Air pollution
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Chemical fumes
- Overuse: Yelling at sporting events, talking loudly in noisy places, or speaking for long periods can strain throat muscles.
- Acid Reflux: When stomach acid backs up into your esophagus (GERD), it can burn your throat. This often feels worse when lying down.
- Health Conditions: Serious health issues like HIV or throat tumors can cause sore throats. These usually have other warning signs too.
In rare cases, throat abscesses or swelling of the epiglottis (the flap that covers your windpipe) can cause dangerous throat pain that needs emergency care.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your chances of getting a sore throat:
Age Factors
- Children and teenagers get sore throats more often than adults
- Kids between 3 and 15 years have higher rates of strep throat
Environmental Irritants
- Tobacco smoke (both direct smoking and secondhand exposure)
- Chemical particles from fossil fuels and household products
- Allergens like pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander
Health Conditions
- Recurring sinus infections can cause throat irritation through drainage
- Weakened immune system makes fighting infections harder
Living Situations
- Crowded places increase exposure to germs
- Infection spreads easily in schools, offices, daycare centers, and airplanes
Immune System Challenges
- Certain conditions like HIV and diabetes
- Medical treatments (steroids or chemotherapy)
- Lifestyle factors including stress, fatigue, and poor nutrition
Prevention
Good habits can help stop sore throats before they start. Simple steps make a big difference in keeping germs away.
Washing hands is key. Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom. Also, wash before meals and after coughing or sneezing. When soap isn’t available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead.
Try to keep your hands away from your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. This helps prevent germs from entering your body.
Daily habits that help prevent sore throats:
- Avoid sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils
- Cough or sneeze into tissues (then throw them away)
- Sneeze into your elbow when tissues aren’t available
- Stay away from sick people
- Clean phones, doorknobs, light switches, and keyboards regularly
- Avoid touching public phones or drinking fountains with your mouth
Teaching children these habits early helps them stay healthy. Regular cleaning of commonly touched surfaces at home, work, or while traveling reduces the chance of picking up throat infections.
